SOLUTION: A man bought a total of 80 feet of materials which are chain links and rope. A chain link cost $2 per foot, and the rope cost $1.50 per foot, and a total of $135 was spent. How muc

Algebra ->  Coordinate Systems and Linear Equations  -> Linear Equations and Systems Word Problems -> SOLUTION: A man bought a total of 80 feet of materials which are chain links and rope. A chain link cost $2 per foot, and the rope cost $1.50 per foot, and a total of $135 was spent. How muc      Log On


   

Question 1043196: A man bought a total of 80 feet of materials which are chain links and rope. A chain link cost $2 per foot, and the rope cost $1.50 per foot, and a total of $135 was spent. How much of each did he buy? So, my question here is how do I start the problem and set up an equation to solve it? What's the algebraic analysis and solution? I need your help, please.
Answer by Fombitz(32388) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Name your variables.
C-feet of chain links purchased
R-feet of rope purchased
Convert the words to algebraic equations,
Total of 80 feet,
1.C%2BR=80
Total of $135,
2.2C%2B1.5R=135
Now you have a system of 2 equations with 2 unknowns.
There are many methods to solve this system.
You can use substitution.
From eq. 1,
C=80-R
Now substitute this into eq. 2,
2%2880-R%29%2B1.5R=135
160-2R%2B1.5R=135
-0.5R=-25
R=50
Now use eq. 1 to solve for C.