How much was the charge in each city before tax?

Question

You

A theater group made appearances in two cities. The hotel charge before tax in the second city was $1000 higher than in the first. The tax in the first city was 8.5% and the tax in the second city was 5.5%. The total hotel tax paid for the two cities was $790. How much was the hotel charge in each city before tax?

Answer 1

before tax price of 2nd hotel was $1000 more than the 1st hotel

tax for the 1st was 8.5%, 2nd 5.5%

total tax for both was $790

.085x + .055(x+1000) = 790

(.085+.055)x = 790 - 55

.14x = 735

x = 735/.14= $5250 before tax price of 1st hotel

x+1000 = $6250= before tax price of 2nd hotel

check the answers

.085(5250) + .055(6250)

=446.25+343.75

= 790