Let the steaks = X and the salmon = y.
Set up two equations:
15x + 18y = 559.81
19x + 9y = 583.66
Now using the elimination method:
Multiply the second equation by -2, then add the equations together.
(15x+18y=559.81)
−2(19x+9y=583.66)
Becomes:
15x+18y=559.81
−38x−18y=−1167.32
Add these equations to eliminate y:
−23x=−607.51
Divide both sides by -23 to solve for x:
x= -607.51 = -23 = 26.413478
Now you have the cost for a steak.
To solve for the cost of the salmon, replace x with the value in the first equation and solve for y.
15(26.413478) + 18y = 559.91
396.202174 + 18y = 559.81
Subtract 396.202174 from both sides:
18y = 163.607826
Divide both sides by 18:
y = 163.607826 / 18
y = 9.089324
Round both x and Y to the nearest cent:
X (Steaks) =$26.41
Y (Salmon) = $9.09