Using a linear equation in this question..

Question

A theater group made appearances in two cities. The hotel charge before tax in the second city was $500 lower than in the first. The tax in the first city was 8.5%, and the tax in the second city was 3.5%. The total hotel tax paid for the two cities was $702.50. 

How much was the hotel charge in each city before tax?

First city:

Second city:

Answer 1

f represents the charge in the first city

f - 500 represents the charge in the second city

0.085f + 0.035(f - 500) = 702.50

Can you solve for f and answer?