Together a chair and a couch cost $600 find the price of each if the couch cost three times as much as the chair

Answer 1

X = price of the chair

Y = price of the couch

From the word problem we get the following equations

X + Y = 600

Y = 3*X

Plug the 2nd equation (which needs no manipulating) into the 1st equation

X + Y = 600

X + 3X = 600

4X = 600

X = 150

Plug that X value into one of the equations

Y = 3*X

Y = 3*150

Y = 450

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Always check your work!

X + Y = 600

150 + 450 = 600

600 = 600 CORRECT!

Y = 3*X

450 = 3*150

450 = 450 CORRECT!