Question

A party rental company has chairs and tables for rent. The total cost to rent 9 chairs and 7 tables is $77. The total cost to rent 3 chairs and 5 tables is $49.

What is the cost to rent each chair and each table?
Cost to rent each chair:
Cost to rent each table:

Answer 1

The cost to rent each chair is $1.75 and cost to rent each table is $8.75.

Step-by-step explanation:

The problem presented is a system of linear equations which can be solved to find the cost to rent each chair and each table.

Let's define c as the cost to rent one chair and t as the cost to rent one table.

We are given two equations based on the information provided:

1. 9c + 7t = $77
2. 3c + 5t = $49

We can solve these equations using either substitution or elimination methods. For convenience, we'll use the elimination method.

Multiplying the second equation by 3 gives us:

9c + 15t = $147

By subtracting the first equation from this new equation, we get:

8t = $70

Dividing both sides by 8 gives us the cost of one table:

t = $8.75

Now, let's substitute the value of t back into either of the original equations to find the cost of one chair. Using the second equation:

3c + 5(8.75) = $49

3c + $43.75 = $49

Subtracting $43.75 from both sides:

3c = $5.25

Dividing both sides by 3 gives us the cost of one chair: c = $1.75