The cost of each bush is $ 18.49
Solution:
Let "f" be the cost of each flower
Let "b" be the cost of each bush
Given that Mrs. Kelly buys 15 flowers and 3 bushes for a total cost of $160.32
15 flowers x cost of each flower + 3 bushes x cost of each bush = 160.32
![15 * f + 3 * b = 160.32](https://img.qammunity.org/2020/formulas/mathematics/middle-school/57x9pv2q4yv7bta607w86sth95pwulxuqa.png)
15f + 3b = 160.32 ----- eqn 1
Each bush costs $11.50 more than each flower
Cost of each bush = 11.50 + cost of each flower
b = 11.50 + f ------ eqn 2
Let us solve eqn 1 and eqn 2 to find values of "b" and "f"
Substitute eqn 2 in eqn 1
15f + 3(11.50 + f) = 160.32
15f + 34.5 + 3f = 160.32
18f = 160.32 - 34.5
18f = 125.82
f = 6.99
Substitute f = 6.99 in eqn 2
b = 11.50 + 6.99 = 18.49
b = 18.49
Thus the cost of each bush is $ 18.49