Algebra word problem

Question

Briana and her sister Molly both want to buy the same model bicycle. Briana needs $73 more before she can afford the bike. Mollyneedd $65 more. If they combine their money, they will have just enough to buy one bicycle that they could share. What is the cost of the bicycle?

Answer 1

 

Briana account = B

Molly account = M

 

The cost of the bike is B+73 but also M+65....so B+73 = M+65 ....subtract 65 from both sides to get

 

B+8 = M

 

So if they combine their money....that's B+M. In terms of one variable, that's B + (B+8) = 2B+8.

 

2B+8 = B+73 ..... the combine money must be the same as the cost of the bike from above. solve this to get

B= 65 which makes m = 73 and the bike cost $138.

 

Hope this helped.