Elsa works at the china emporium on saturdays packing dishes for shipment. she receives 12 cents for each piece she packs successfully and is fined 18 cents for each price she breaks. if she handles 188 pieces and is paid $20.16 , she must have broken 8 peices

Elsa broke 8 pieces.

Step-by-step explanation:

Let x be the number of pieces she handles successfully and y be the number of pieces she breaks.  

She handles 188 pieces in total so:

She gains 0.12 dollars (12 cents) for each dish she packs successfully and fined 0.18 dollars (18 cents) for each dish she breaks.

So she gains 0.12x and loses 0.18y, and gains 20.16 dollars. So 0.12x - 0.18y = 20.16.

Therefore, Elsa broke 8 pieces.

i agree because i see the other persons thinking is clear