Question

Portia bought 12 bushes and 30 flowers for $240 to plant in her yard. Later, she realized she did not have enough plants and bought 7 more bushes and 10 more flowers for $125. How much did each bush and flower cost? Let the price of each bush =

Answer 1

Explanation:

x = price of 1 bush

y = price of 1 flower

12x + 30y = 240

7x + 10y = 125

the easiest approach is now to e.g. multiply the second equation by -3 and then add both equations, and then solve the result for x.

12x + 30y = 240

-21x - 30y = -375

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-9x 0 = -135

-9x = -135

9x = 135

x = 15

7x + 10y = 125

7×15 + 10y = 125

105 + 10y = 125

10y = 20

y = 2

so, each bush costs $15, each flower costs $2.