SOLUTION: The cost of a belt is 2/5 of the cost of a wallet. The wallet cost 3/5 the price of a bag. If the bag cost $380 more than the belt, how much does the wallet cost?

Algebra ->  Percentage-and-ratio-word-problems -> SOLUTION: The cost of a belt is 2/5 of the cost of a wallet. The wallet cost 3/5 the price of a bag. If the bag cost $380 more than the belt, how much does the wallet cost?      Log On


   

Question 1184379: The cost of a belt is 2/5 of the cost of a wallet. The wallet cost 3/5 the price of a bag. If the bag cost $380 more than the belt, how much does the wallet cost?
Answer by greenestamps(13200) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!


Take a moment to read the problem and digest the given information to find a way to set the problem up so that it will be easy to solve.

The bag is the most expensive of the three items, so....

Let x = cost of the bag
Then (3/5)x = cost of the wallet
Then (2/5)((3/5)x) = (6/25)x = cost of the belt

The cost of the bag was $380 more than the cost of the belt:

x+=+%286%2F25%29x%2B380
%2819%2F25%29x+=+380
x+=+380%2825%2F19%29=20%2A25+=+500

The cost of the wallet was 3/5 the cost of the bag:

%283%2F5%29%28500%29=300

ANSWER: The cost of the wallet was $300.

CHECK:
bag: x=$500
wallet: 3/5 of $500 = $300
belt: 2/5 of $300 = $120
bag-belt = $500-$120 = $380