SOLUTION: A shirt and a pair of pants cost $47. the shirt costs $1 less than 1/2 of what the pants cost. how much did the shirt cost?

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Question 804306: A shirt and a pair of pants cost $47.
the shirt costs $1 less than 1/2 of what the pants cost.
how much did the shirt cost?
Answer by erica65404(394) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
shirt=x pants=y
x%2By=47
x=%281%2F2%29y-1
we want to solve for x
y=-x%2B47
plug into x=%281%2F2%29y-1
x=%281%2F2%29%28-x%2B47%29-1
x=%28%28-1%29%2F2%29x%2B23.5-1
1%281%2F2%29x=22.5
x=15
The shirt is $15.