Question

A landscaping company placed two orders with a nursery. The first order was for 13 shrubs and 4 trees and totaled 487. The second order was for 6 scrubs and 2 trees,and totaled 232. The bills do not list the per-item price. What were the costs of one shrub of one tree?

Answer 1

Cost of shrubs = 23

Cost of tree = 47

Explanation:

Let

Cost of shrubs = x

Cost of tree = y

13x + 4y = 487 (1)

6x + 2y = 232 (2)

Multiply (2) by 2

12x + 4y = 464 (3)

13x + 4y = 487 (1)

Subtract (3) from (1)

13x - 12x = 487 - 464

x = 23

Substitute x = 23 into (2)

6x + 2y = 232 (2)

6(23) + 2y = 232

138 + 2y = 232

2y = 232 - 138

2y = 94

y = 94/2

= 47

y = 47