Final answer:
To find the total cost of the present, determine the amount paid by each person based on the given ratio. Then, solve the equation to find the value of x. Finally, calculate the total cost by summing the amounts paid by Kyle and Claire.
Step-by-step explanation:
To find the total cost of the present, we need to first determine the amount paid by each person. Since the ratio is 3:8, let's assign the amount paid by Kyle as 3x and the amount paid by Claire as 8x.
According to the question, Claire paid $15 more than Kyle. So, we have the equation: 8x = 3x + 15.
Solving this equation, we get x = 5.
Therefore, the amount paid by Kyle is 3x = 3(5) = $15 and the amount paid by Claire is 8x = 8(5) = $40.
The total cost of the present is the sum of the amounts paid by Kyle and Claire, which is $15 + $40 = $55.