How many hardcover books did she purchase?

Question

Hardcover books cost $4 each and paperback cost $2 each. A person spends $26 for 8 books. How many hardcover books did she purchase?

Answer 1

Let H = # hardback books

Let P = # paperback books

 

H + P = 8

4H + 2P = 26

 

In the first equation solve for one variable in terms of the other.

Substitute that value in place of said variable in the 2nd equation.

This will enable you to solve for one variable.

Once you have done that use that value in the 1st equation to

solve for the other variable.

Answer 2

I hope that you have seen similar problems such as this one in school.

What did you write down to express the given facts?  That's what you should address, first.

Try to remember similar problems (you may consult your textbook), and see what was done there--and you can imitate that.  Example: Let x be the number of paperback books purchased at $2 each, and y =...

 

If you do work like this to set up the problem, then you can write an equation showing how the total value, $26, comes about, e.g.  2x + 4y = 26.

 

YOU SHOULD BE ABLE TO WORK ALONG THESE LINES, AND THEN solve for the values of x & y; again, I say consult the book, and dive in. Show what you have done, and some tutor will help. MAKE AN EFFORT!