SOLUTION: Hi A group of friends wanted to share equally the cost of a present. If each person paid $2.50 they would be short $17.40. If each were to pay $8.20 there would be $16.80 left.

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Question 1176100: Hi
A group of friends wanted to share equally the cost of a present. If each person paid $2.50 they would be short $17.40. If each were to pay $8.20 there would be $16.80 left.
How many people shared the cost.
What was the cost of the present.
Thank you
Answer by Theo(13342) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
x = the number of people.
y = the cost of the item.

your equations are:

2.50 * x = y - 17.40
8.20 * x = y + 16.80

subtract the first equation from the second to get:

5.70 * x = 34.20

solve for x to get x = 34.20 / 5.70 = 6

that's the number of people.

replace x in both equations with 6 to get:

2.50 * 6 = y - 17.40 becomes 15 = y - 17.40.
solve for y to get y = 15 + 17.40 = 32.40.

8.20 * 6 = y + 16.80 becomes 49.20 = y + 16.80.
solve for y to get y = 49.20 - 16.80 = 32.40.

your solution is:

6 people shared the cost.
he price of the item was 32.40.