Let x = the cost of a pencil and y = the cost of a pen
- Four pencils and two pens cost .74: 4x + 2y = 0.74
- Six pencils and five pens cost 1.53: 6x + 5y = 1.53
Let's use elimination to solve the problem. Multiply the first equation by 3 and the second equation by -2 then add them together to eliminate the x variable:
12x + 6y = 2.22
-12x - 10y = -3.06
-----------------------
0 - 4y = -0.84
-4y = -0.84
y = $0.21
To find x, plug y = $0.21 into either original equation and solve for x:
4x + 2y = 0,74
4x + 2(0.21) = 0.74
4x _ 0.42 = 0.74
4x = 0.32
x = $0.08
