A theater group made appearances in two cities. The hotel charge before tax in the second city was $1500 higher than in the first. The tax in the first city was 8.5% and the tax in the second city was 7%. The total got all tax paid for the two cities was $918.75, how much was the hotel charge in each city before tax?
Let
x -------> charge before tax in the second city
y ------> charge before tax in the first city
so
x=y+1500 -------> equation A
8.5%=0.085
7%=0.07
0.085y+0.07x=918.75 -------> equation B
Solve the system of equations
Solve by graphing
Remember that
when solving a system of equations by graphing, the solution is the intersection point both graphs
so
using a graphing tool
see the attached figure
therefore
The charge before tax in the second city was $6,750
The charge before tax in the first city was $5,250