To find how much Alex spent in total on the pizza and soda, let's break down the problem step by step:

Step 1: Calculate the cost of soda

Alex purchased $3 \frac{1}{2}$ gallons of soda at $4.50 per gallon. $3 \frac{1}{2} = 3 + \frac{1}{2} = 3.5 \, \text{gallons}$ Now, multiply the number of gallons by the cost per gallon: $3.5 \times 4.50 = 15.75 \, \text{dollars}$ So, Alex spent $15.75 on soda.

Step 2: Calculate the cost of pizza

Alex purchased 8 pizzas at $16.49 each. Multiply the number of pizzas by the cost per pizza: $8 \times 16.49 = 131.92 \, \text{dollars}$ So, Alex spent $131.92 on pizza.

Step 3: Calculate the total cost for pizza and soda

Now, add the amounts spent on pizza and soda: $15.75 + 131.92 = 147.67 \, \text{dollars}$

Final Answer:

Alex spent $147.67 on pizza and soda.

Would you like more details on this, or have any questions?

Here are 5 related questions:

1. How much did Alex spend in total if the cost of the cakes is included?
2. What would Alex's total be if he bought 4 gallons of soda instead?
3. How much would Alex save if each pizza was $2 cheaper?
4. If Alex wanted to buy 10 pizzas, what would the total cost be for pizza only?
5. What is the average price per item if Alex bought soda, cakes, and pizza?

Tip: When dealing with fractions in real-world scenarios, it can be helpful to convert mixed numbers into decimals for easier calculations.