Question

The cost of 5 dresses and 2 belts is $48. The cost of 3 dresses and 2 belts is $32. Find the cost of a dress and a belt. Let x denote the cost of a dress and y denote the cost of a belt.

Answer 1

For this Question use the substitution method.

5x+2y = $48 ------First Equation.
3x+2y = $32 ------ Second Equation

x= 48-2y/ 5 ( 48-2y divided by 5)

Put the value of x in the second equation.

3(48-2y/5)+2y = $32
 (144-6y/5) + 2y = $32
Take L.C.M 
144-6y+10y/5 = $32
144+4y = 32*5
144+4y = 160
4y = 160-144
4y = 16
y = 4
Now put the value of y in any equation.
5x+2(4) = $48
5x+8 = $48
5x = 48-8
5x = 40
x = 8
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A Dress costs $8 and a belt costs $ 4.