Exercise 44 Page 9

Let y represent the balance in the account 4 years ago. We are given that the balance has increased $308 over the last four years and that the current balance is $4708. Adding 308 to y results in a balance of 4708. y+308=4708 Solving this equation for y will give us the balance of the account 4 years ago.

Four years ago, the balance in the account was $4400.