Question

Suzy buys 2 shirts and 2 pairs of pants for 42 dollars at the store. Annette buys 3 shirts and 1 pair of pants for 37 dollars.

Answer 1

Answer:

Shirts:  $8

Pants:  $13

Step-by-step explanation:

2 shirts and 2 pairs of pants costs $42.

2x + 2y = 42

3 shirts and 1 pair of pants costs $37.

3x + y = 37

Use substitution to solve.  Rearrange the second equation so that it is equal to y.  Plug in the value for y into the first equation.

3x + y = 37

y = 37 - 3x

2x + 2y = 42

2x + 2(37 - 3x) = 42

2x + 74 - 6x = 42

74 - 4x = 42

-4x = -32

x = 8

Now that you have the value for x, solve for y using one of the equations.  I will use the first equation, but you can use the other one and still get the right answer.

2x + 2y = 42

2(8) + 2y = 42

16 + 2y = 42

2y = 26

y = 13

The shirts cost $8, and the pants cost $13.