Pre Algerbra word problem

Question

Peter bought two shirts and a pair of jeans that cost $58 and Billy bought three shirts and a pair of
jeans that cost $40. If they spent the same amount of money and each shirt cost the same amount, then
how much did they pay for a shirt?

Answer 1

Here's what we know:

2s + 58 = x (two shirts and $58 jeans is a certain amount)

3s + 40 = x (three shirts and $40 jeans is the same amount)

 

We can use the elimination method to solve this by multiplying the first equation by -1:

-2s - 58 = -x

3s + 40 = x

----------------

s - 18 = 0

add 18 to both sides:

s = 18

 

Check:

2 * 18 + 58 = x

36 + 58 = x

94 = x

 

3 * 18 + 40 = x

54 + 40 = x

94 = x