How do I write linear systems for this problem?

Question

At a college bookstore, Carla purchased a math textbook and a novel that cost a total of $54, not including tax. If the price of the math textbook is $8 more than 3 times the price of the novel, what is the price of each book?

Answer 1

Let's look at this one sentence at a time.

 

Carla purchased a math textbook and a novel that cost a total of $54, not including tax.

M + N = 54, where M = math textbook and N = novel

 

price of the math textbook is $8 more than 3 times the price of the novel

M = 3N + 8

 

And there you have your two equations.