QS would be 42. So the way i did it was I:
8x-51=3x-6
x=9
Plugged into both equations of QR and RS to then get the answer of 42
Well right off the bat, I can see a good reason why it should boggle.
If (x+y)=6 and (x-y)=2, then (x+y)(x-y) would be 12. It can't be 20.
The first 4 lines on the paper are inconsistent, so the question in the 5th line can't be calculated.
Another possible source of uncertainty (for us, anyway) is the remarkable similarity between the way you write ' Y ' and the way you write ' 4 ' . For example, look at the ' Y⁴ ' (I think ...) in the last line.
1 pencil + 1 eraser = $1.10
Pencil cost $1 more than the eraser.
⇒ If we take away $1 from the total, both the pencil and the eraser will cost the same.
⇒ $1.10 - $1.00 = $0.10
Divide by 2 to find the cost of the eraser.
⇒$0.10 ÷ 2 = $0.05
Find the cost of the pencil, which is $1 more than the eraser.
⇒ $0.05 + $1 = $1.05
Answer: The eraser costs $0.05
$30 because you are taking away 20% of $30 and then adding back that 20%.