Answer:
paper = $4 and stapler = $7
Step-by-step explanation:
let p represent paper and s represent stapler, then
3p + 4s = 40 → (1)
5p + 6s = 62 → (2)
Multiplying (1) by 5 and (2) by - 3 and adding will eliminate p
15p + 20s = 200 → (3)
- 15p - 18s = - 186 → (4)
Add (3) and (4) term by term to eliminate p
2s = 14 ( divide both sides by 2 )
s = 7
Substitute s = 7 into either of the 2 equations and evaluate for p
Substituting into (1)
3p + 4(7) = 40
3p + 28 = 40 ( subtract 28 from both sides )
3p = 12 ( divide both sides by 3 )
p = 4
Thus package of paper costs $4 and stapler costs $7
