1. **State the problem:** Alonzo paid a $2 start fee plus $0.12 per minute for a scooter ride, and the total cost was $25.52. We need to find the number of minutes, $x$, he rode. 2. **Write the equation:** The total cost is given by the linear equation $$2 + 0.12x = 25.52$$ where $x$ is the number of minutes. 3. **Isolate the variable term:** Subtract 2 from both sides: $$2 + 0.12x - 2 = 25.52 - 2$$ which simplifies to $$0.12x = 23.52$$ 4. **Solve for $x$:** Divide both sides by 0.12: $$\frac{\cancel{0.12}x}{\cancel{0.12}} = \frac{23.52}{0.12}$$ which gives $$x = 196$$ 5. **Interpret the result:** Alonzo rode the scooter for 196 minutes. **Final answer:** $$\boxed{196}$$ minutes