A washer and dryer combo costs $1100. If each is bought separately, the dryer costs 6/5 times as much as the washer. Find the cost of the washer and dryer.

Question

A washer and dryer combination costs $1100. If each is bought separately, the dryer costs 6/5 times as much as the washer. Find the cost of the washer and dryer.

Answer 1

x=cost of washer

(6/5)x=cost of dryer

x+(6/5)x=1100

(11/5)x=1100

(5/11)(11/5)x=(5/11)(1100)

x=(5500/11)

x=$500 (washer) (you could have simplified with 11 and got 5*100 also)

(6/5)x=(6/5)500=$600 (dryer)

Answer 2

w = cost of washer

d = cost of dryer

 

w + d = 1100

d = (6/5)w

 

Substituting:

 

w +(6/5)w = 1100

(11/5)w =1100

 

Multiply both sides by 5/11

 

w = 500

d = 600

 

The dryer costs $500 and the dryer costs $600