Question

A group of tourists spends $156 to rent snorkels and fins. A total of 15 snorkels and 18 pairs of fins are rented. Renting a snorkel costs four times as much as renting a pair of fins. How much does it cost to rent a snorkel?

Answer 1

A snorkel's rent costs $8

Explanation:

Givens:

• Total spend $156.
• Snorkels rented: 15
• Pair of find rented: 18

The problem specifies that a snorkel costs four times as much as a pair of fins, that is:

`s:` snorkels.

`f:` fins.

`s=4f`

The equation that represents the total cost is:

`15s+18f=156`

Now, we just have to substitute the expression for snorkels in the total cost equation:

`15(4f)+18f=156`

`60f+18f=156`

`78f=156`

`f=(156)/(78)=2`

Then,
`s=4f`

`s=4(2)=8`

Therefore, a snorkel's rent costs $8.

Answer 2

You could use many methods to find the answer to this problem, but I am going to use the most efficient one I know.
18f+15(4f)=156
F is for fins. We should now solve the equation.
18f+60f=156
78f=156
156÷78=2
So fins cost 2 dollars. Now, we know snorkels cost four times the amount of fins. Four times 2 is eight. So the snorkels cost $8 to rent. Let's check our math.
15(8) + 18(2)
120+36=156
So it cost $8 to rent a snorkel.