Fred bought a shirt and a wallet for a total of $34.26 before tax. The price of the wallet was $15 less than the price of the shirt. What was the price of the shirt?

Answer 1

The price of the wallet and the shirt must be $34.26 when added together. We don't know the prices, but we do know that the wallet is the shirt - $15.

Shirt + Shirt - 15 = $34.26

2 Shirts -15 = $34.26

2 Shirts = $49.26

Each shirt has to be $24.63

So the wallet must be $9.63.

Answer 2

Setup Initial Equations from Reading Question:

S + W = $34.26 (pre-tax).

W = S - $15.00

Substitute Variables to make it 1 variable Equation:

S + (S-15) = $34.26

Simple Math:

2S - $15 = $34.26

2S = $34.26 + $15.00

2S = $49.26

S = $24.63

Plug into original Equation:

$24.63 + W = $34.26

W = $34.26 - $24.63 = $9.63

Check Work:

S - W = $15.00

$24.63 - $9.63 = $15.00 (Checks out)

$24.63 + $9.63 = $34.26 (Checks out)