SOLUTION: Translate the following into a system of equations, then solve it:
A customer walks into an electronics store and buys five MP3 players and eight sets of headphones, paying $8
Question 136749: Translate the following into a system of equations, then solve it:
A customer walks into an electronics store and buys five MP3 players and eight sets of headphones, paying $840. A second customer buys three MP3 players and four sets of headphones, and pays $480. How much does an MP3 player cost? How much does a set of headphones cost? Answer by ankor@dixie-net.com(22740) (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website! A customer walks into an electronics store and buys five MP3 players and eight sets of headphones, paying $840. A second customer buys three MP3 players and four sets of headphones, and pays $480. How much does an MP3 player cost? How much does a set of headphones cost?
:
Let x = cost of a MP3
Let y = cost of a headphone
:
Write an equation for each transaction:
:
5x + 8y = 840
3x + 4y = 480
:
Multiply the 2nd equation by 2, subtract the 1st equation from that:
6x + 8y = 960
5x + 8y = 840
-----------------subtracting eliminates y, find x
1x + 0y = 120
x = $120 cost of each MP3
:
Find y using the 1st original equation, substitute 120 for x
5(120) + 8y = 840
600 + 8y = 840
8y = 840 - 600
y =
y = $30 cost of each headphone
:
Check solution in 2nd original equation:
3(120) + 4(30) = 480
360 + 120 = 480; confirms our solutions
