A = price of the desktop
b = price of the laptop
now, we know the laptop was more expensive than the desktop by 250 bucks, thus b = a + 250.
for "a", he paid 8.5% in interest, for "b", he paid 5% in interest.
how much is 8.5% of a? well (8.5/100) * a, or 0.085a.
how much is 5% of b? well, (5/100) * b, or 0.05b.
now, we know the total charges for financing were $296, that means the interest paid in total was 296, thus whatever "a" or "b" are, we know that 0.085a + 0.05b = 296.
how much did the laptop cost? well, b = a + 250.
b = price of the laptop
now, we know the laptop was more expensive than the desktop by 250 bucks, thus b = a + 250.
for "a", he paid 8.5% in interest, for "b", he paid 5% in interest.
how much is 8.5% of a? well (8.5/100) * a, or 0.085a.
how much is 5% of b? well, (5/100) * b, or 0.05b.
now, we know the total charges for financing were $296, that means the interest paid in total was 296, thus whatever "a" or "b" are, we know that 0.085a + 0.05b = 296.
how much did the laptop cost? well, b = a + 250.