<PRE><B>Question 333606</B>
 Mike bought a shirt and a package of socks. The shirt cost $17.50 more than the socks. Mike paid $30 total. How much did each cost? 
Total= $30
shirt=x
socks=x 
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Why would both shirt and socks = x?
shirt = s
socks = x
s + x = 30
s = x + 17.5
Sub for x in the 1st equation
(x+17.5) + x = 30
2x + 17.5 = 30
2x = 12.5
x = 6.25
socks cost $6.25
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s = x + 17.5 = 6.25 + 17.5 = 23.75
The shirt cost $23.75
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