Answer: The price for the computer was $1,152.
Step-by-step Explanation: Let the price of the computer be y. The first boy had 7/8 of the price of the computer, which can be expressed as 7/8 of y or simply 7y/8.
The second boy had 5/6 of the money the first boy had, that means he had 5/6 of 7y/8 and this too can be expressed as,
= 5/6 x 7y/8
= 35y/48
So we have determined that both boys have 7y/8 and 35y/48. Also we know that the total money in their possession is 696 more than they need to pay for the computer, that is, 696 more than y, or simply put,
696 + y
Therefore the addition of their money can be expressed as;
7y/8 + 35y/48 = 696 + y
(35y + 42y)/48 = 696 + y
By cross multiplication we now have
35y + 42y = 48(696 + y)
77y = 33408 + 48y
Subtract 48y from both sides of the equation
29y = 33408
Divide both sides of the equation by 29
y = 1152
Therefore the price of the computer was $1,152
