Question #1:
Since it is unknown how much they paid for the original painting, we'll use x to represent that. 2x+1000 is equal to 55,000, so that is our equation.
2x+1000=55,000
2x=54,000
x=27,000
The Leungs originally paid $27,000 (answer choice B)
Question #12:
-4(x-11)=16
Apply the distributive property.
-4x+44=16
-4x=--28
x=7
Since x=7, let's figure out which answer choice can be possible by subsituting the x in each answer choice with 7.
Answer choice F: Does 7-11=4? No, so this answer can't be correct.
Answer choice G: Does 7-11=-4? Yes! This answer is correct.
Answer choice H: Does -28-11=16? No, so this answer can't be correct.
Answer choice I: Does -28+44=64? No, so this answer can't be correct.
It is answer choice G.