Question

A washer and a dryer cost $699 combined. The washer costs $51 less than the dryer. What is the cost of the dryer ?

Answer 1

$699 is the total.

You have 2 items that you bought.

Divide $699 (the total cost) by 2 (the two items). Do this to figure out how much each of them will cost (approximately) separately.

Now you have each item costing $349.50.

But, they tell you your washer costs $51 LESS than your dryer did.

So you subtract $349.50 - $51 to get $298.50 for the washer.

Since you subtracted $51 dollars from the washer, add $51 to the dryer to even it out:

Dryer = $349.50 + $51

Dryer = $400.50

You know to add this $51 to the dryer’s cost after you subtract $51 of the washers cost because once you take away that $51 from the washer, you total cost for both items would have been $648. But, they tell you your total cost was $699, so you know you have to put that $51 lost somewhere else.

The dryer costs MORE than the washer, because they tell you the washer costs LESS then the dryer. So you add $51 dollars to the dryer after subtracting $51 of the washer’s cost to get:

dryer= $400.50.

Answer 2

699/2=349.50
349.50+51=400.50

THE DRYER COSTS $400.50


I hope this helps