Sarah works as a waiter. She earns $80 each weekend plus 15% in tips. This weekend, Sarah earned $252.50 in all. What is the dollar amount of the meals that Sarah served?

The dollar amount of the meals Sarah served was $1150.

Step-by-step explanation:

Set up an equation expressing Sarah's total earnings:

(total earned) = (base wage) + 0.15 * (price of meals served)

Now the same using what we know:

$252.50 = $80 + 0.15 * x

where x is unknown and can be solved for:

x = (252.50 - 80) / 0.15 = $1150

The dollar amount of the meals Sarah served was $1150.