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| Question 1186985:  Hi
 Mary bought some shoes and dresses for $296.00. The dress cost $24  the shoes $20 . How many of each did she buy.
 Thanks
 Found 2 solutions by  josgarithmetic, greenestamps:
 Answer by josgarithmetic(39630)
      (Show Source): 
You can put this solution on YOUR website! d, dresses z, shoes
 
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   Look for combination of whole whole numbers which satisfy the equation.
 
 
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Two possibilities
Shoes     Dresses
   4          9
  10          4
 
Answer by greenestamps(13209)
      (Show Source): 
You can put this solution on YOUR website! 
 Here first is a refinement, using logical analysis and simple mental arithmetic, of the informal solution shown by the other tutor...
 
 The total cost of all the items is $296, and the total cost of the shoes, at $20 per pair, is a multiple of $10.
 That means the total cost of the dresses, at $24 each, must be a number with units digit 6.
 That means the number of dresses must be 4, 9, 14, ...
 Since 14 dresses at $24 each is more than $296, there are exactly two solutions -- with either 4 or 9 dresses.
 
 
 
 And here is how to find the solution(s) using formal mathematics....
 
 x = # of dresses at $24 each
 y = # of (pairs of) shoes at $20 each
 
 The total cost was $296:
 
 
  
 Simplify...
 
 
  
 Solve the equation for one variable
 
 
  
 
  
 Perform the indicated division as quotient plus remainder, using integers -- instead of fractions
 
 
  
  
 In that form of the equation, x and y are non-negative integers, and 14 is an integer, so
  has to be an integer. 
 Inspection shows that x must be 4, or 4 plus or minus some multiple of 5.
 
 Use that and the knowledge that x and y are both non-negative integers to find the solution(s).
 
 (1) x=4
 
 
  
 ANSWER: x=4 dresses and y=10 pairs of shoes
 
 CHECK: 4($24)+10($20) = $96+$200 = $296
 
 (2) x=9
 
 
  
 ANSWER: x=9 dresses and y=4 pairs of shoes
 
 CHECK: 9($24)+4($20) = $216+$80 = $296
 
 (3) x=14
 
 14($24) is greater than $296...
 
 There are exactly two answers:
 (1) 4 dresses and 10 pairs of shoes
 (2) 9 dresses and 4 pairs of shoes
 
 
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