Let n represent the amount of scarves Rebecca buys, and p represent the number of purses Rebecca buys.
We know that scarves cost $5 each, and purses that cost $12 each. We also know that the cost of Rebecca's entire purchase is 39 dollars.
So,
5n + 2p = $39
However, we were also given that Rebecca buys a total of 2 purses, so we can plug that into the equation.
5n + 2(12) = 39
When simplified, we get:
5n +24 = 39
To simplify even further, we must subtract 24 from both sides of the equation.
5n = 15
Finally, we must divide both sides by the coefficient of the variable, or 5.
n = 3
Therefore, Rebecca buys 3 scarves.
However, this problem didn't ask you to solve the equation, therefore the correct answer in this situation is probably one of the ones we started out with, either
5n + 2(12) = 39
or
5n +24 = 39
