Find the cost of each notebook and each thumb drive.

Question

Troy and Lisa were shopping for school supplies. Each purchased different quantities of the same notebook and thumb drive. Troy bought 4 notebooks and 13 thumb drives for $254. Lisa bought 5 notebooks and 8 thumb drives for $169. Find the cost of each notebook and each thumb drive.

Answer 1

4n +13t = 254

5n+8t =169

20n +65t = 254(5)

20n +32t = 169(4)

33t = 1270 - 676

33t = 594

11t =198

t = 198/11 = $18 for a thumb drive

n = (169-18(8))/5 = $5 per notebook

4n+13t = 4(5)+13(18) = 20+234=254