What was the cost of a bowl of soup?

Question

Bill bought 2 chicken sandwiches and 3 bowls of vegetable soup for $16.50, not including tax. Sam bought 1 chicken sandwich and 2 bowls of soup for $9.50, not including tax. What was the cost of a bowl of soup? 

Answer 1

Let x = cost of chicken sandwich

Let y = cost of vegetable soup

 

Set your equations:

 

2x+3y=16.50

  x+2y=9.50

 

Multiply the second equation by 2 and then subtract both equations in order to solve for y.