Let g = number of gloves and let h = number of hats. We're going to write a system of equations. 2g+4h=43 2g+2h=30 Now I'm going to isolate a variable in one of the equations. Let's isolate the g in the second equation g+h=15 g=15-h Next, I'm going to plug in my new equation for g into the first equation and solve for h. 2(15-h)+4h=43 30-2h+4h=43 30+2h=43 2h=13 h=6.5 Finally, I'm going to plug my solution for h into either equation (I'll use the second one) and solve for g. 2g+2(6.5)=30 2g+13=30 2g=17 g=8.5 If I want to double check my answers, I can plug both values into the first equation and see if I get 43. The hats are $6.50 and the gloves are $8.50.
