SAT Question 39571c77: Linear Equations In Two Variables answer and explanation with Desmos solution

Choice A is correct. Let $x$ represent the number of rabbit snails that Naomi bought. It's given that each rabbit snail costs $$8$. Therefore, the total cost, in dollars, of the rabbit snails that Naomi bought can be represented by the expression $8x$. It's also given that each nerite snail costs $$6$, and that Naomi bought $2$ nerite snails. Therefore, the total cost, in dollars, of the nerite snails that Naomi bought is $6\left(2\right)$, or $12$. Since Naomi bought both the rabbit snails and the nerite snails for a total of $$52$, the equation $8x+12=52$ can be used to represent the situation. Subtracting $12$ from both sides of this equation yields $8x=40$. Dividing both sides of this equation by $8$ yields $x=5$. Therefore, Naomi bought $5$ rabbit snails.