Question

A washer and a dryer cost $847 combined. The washer costs $53 less than the dryer. What is the cost of the dryer?

Answer 1

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Define x :
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Let the dryer be x.
Dryer = x 
Washer = x -53

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Construct Equation :
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The washer and the dryer cost $847
⇒ x + x - 53 = 847

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Solve x :
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x + x - 53 = 847
2x - 53 = 847
2x = 847 + 53
2x = 900
x = 450

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Find cost of dryer and washer :
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Dryer = x = $450
Washer = x = 450 - 53 = 397

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Answer: Dryer = $450
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Answer 2

Hello!

To solve this you can do 847 - 53 since one of the value is 53 less than the other

847 - 53 = 794

Then since there are 2 items you do 

794 / 2 = 397

You add 53 to 397

397 + 53 = 450

The cost of the dryer is 450

The cost of the washer is 397

We can check our work by making sure the two values add to 847

450 + 397 = 847

So the cost of the dryer is 450

Hope this helps!