Answer: the cost of each bush is $15
the cost of each flower is $2
Step-by-step explanation:
Let x represent the cost of each bush.
Let y represent the cost of each flower.
Portia bought 12 bushes and 30 flowers for $240 to plant in her yard. This is expressed as
12x + 30y = 240- - - - - - - - - - -1
Later, she realized she did not have enough plants and bought 7 more bushes and 10 more flowers for $125. This is expressed as
7x + 10y = 125- - - - - - - - - - -2
Multiplying equation 1 by 7 and equation 2 by 12, it becomes
84x + 210y = 1680
84x + 120y = 1500
Subtracting, it becomes
90y = 180
y = 180/90
y = 2
Substituting y = 2 into equation 1, it becomes
12x + 30 × 2 = 240
12x + 60 = 240
12x = 240 - 60 = 180
x = 180/12
x = 15
