Question 1200644
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a theater group made appearances in two cities. 
The hotel charge before tax in the second city was $1000 lower than in the first. 
The tax in the first city was 10%, and the tax in the second city was 6%. 
The total hotel tax paid for the two cities was $420. 
How much was the hotel charge in each city before tax?
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Let x be the hotel charge in the first city before tax, in dollars.
Then that in the second city is (x-1000) dollars.


Write the total hotel tax paid for the two cities

    0.1x + 0.06(x-1000) = 420  dollars.


Simplify and find x

    0.1x + 0.06x - 60 = 420

        0.16x         = 420 + 60 = 480

            x                    = 480/0.16 = 3000.


<U>ANSWER</U>.  $3000 in the first city and $2000 in the second city.


<U>CHECK</U>.  0.1*3000 + 0.06*2000 = 300 + 120 = 420  dollars.   ! correct !
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Solved.