1. **State the problem:** Vani wants to treat 12 friends with either bubble tea or ice-cream cones. 2. **Define variables:** Let $x$ be the number of bubble teas and $y$ be the number of ice-cream cones. 3. **Write the total friends equation:** $$x + y = 12$$ 4. **Write the cost constraint:** $$3.20x + 2.40y \leq 30$$ 5. **Express $y$ from the first equation:** $$y = 12 - x$$ 6. **Substitute $y$ into the cost inequality:** $$3.20x + 2.40(12 - x) \leq 30$$ 7. **Simplify the inequality:** $$3.20x + 28.8 - 2.40x \leq 30$$ $$ (3.20x - 2.40x) + 28.8 \leq 30$$ $$0.80x + 28.8 \leq 30$$ 8. **Isolate $x$:** $$0.80x \leq 30 - 28.8$$ $$0.80x \leq 1.2$$ 9. **Divide both sides by 0.80:** $$x \leq \frac{1.2}{0.80}$$ $$x \leq \cancel{\frac{1.2}{0.80}}\quad \Rightarrow \quad x \leq 1.5$$ 10. **Interpretation:** Since $x$ must be an integer (number of friends), the maximum number of bubble teas is 1. 11. **Check the condition "more friends want bubble tea than ice-cream cones":** This means $x > y$. 12. **From $x + y = 12$, if $x > y$, then $x > 6$ (since if $x > y$, $x$ must be more than half of 12). But from the cost constraint, $x \leq 1.5$. 13. **Conclusion:** It is impossible for more friends to have bubble tea than ice-cream cones without exceeding the $30 budget. **Final answer:** No, Vani cannot afford to give bubble tea to more friends than ice-cream cones without exceeding $30.