How much did she pay for each shirt and jersey?

Question

A woman bought s shirts at $20 each and j jerseys at $15 each at a total cost of $155. If however she had bought half as many shirts and twice as many jerseys, then the total cost would have been $190. How much did she pay for each shirt and each jersey?

Answer 1

If your question is: " How many shirts and how many jerseys are we talking about?", here is my solution:

 

s = number of shirts at $20

j = number of jerseys at $15

 

20s + 15j = 155

20(s/2) + 15(2j) = 190

 

20s + 15j = 155

10s +30j = 190

 

Multiply second equation by -2 and add to first equation:

 

20s + 15j = 155

-20s -60j = -2(190)

 

-45j = 155 - 380

 

-45j = -225

 

Divide both sides by -45

 

j = 5

 

Substitue j=5 back into the first equation so s = 4.

 

Denny Rose

Galion, OH