Final answer:
A calculator costs $12 and a notebook costs $2.
Step-by-step explanation:
To find the cost of a calculator and a notebook, we can set up a system of equations with the given information:
Let x be the cost of a calculator.
Let y be the cost of a notebook.
We can write the following equations based on the information given:
Ms. Kennedy's purchase: 9x + 5y = 118
Mrs. Theel's purchase: 6x + 12y = 96
We can solve this system of equations to find the values of x and y. First, let's multiply the first equation by 6 and the second equation by 9 to eliminate x:
54x + 30y = 708
54x + 108y = 864
Now, subtract the first equation from the second equation:
54x + 108y - (54x + 30y) = 864 - 708
78y = 156
y = 2
Substitute the value of y into either of the original equations to find the value of x:
9x + 5(2) = 118
9x + 10 = 118
9x = 108
x = 12
Therefore, a calculator costs $12 and a notebook costs $2.