Answer:
7 people purchase the items and they used 53 coins
Step-by-step explanation:
Let x represent the number of people.
Let y be the number of coins needed to purchase the items.
If each person pays 8 coins, the surplus is 3 coins. This is illustrated below:
8x = y + 3 (1)
if each person gives 7 coins, the deficiency is 4 coins. This is illustrated below:
7x = y — 4 (2)
Solving by elimination method: subtract equation(2) from equation (1). This is illustrated below:
8x = y + 3 (1)
— (7x = y — 4) (2)
x = 7.
Next, Substituting the value of x into any of the equation to obtain y. In this case I will be using equation 1 as illustrated below:
8x = y + 3 (1)
8(7) = y + 3
56 = y + 3
Collect like terms
y = 56 — 3
y = 53
Therefore, 7 people purchase the items and they used 53 coins
