Final answer:
The balance on the first card is $4,800 and the balance on the second card is $7,200. Therefore, the balance on the first card is $4,800 and the balance on the second card is (12,000 - 4,800) = $7,200
Step-by-step explanation:
To find the balance on each card, let's first assume that the amount on one card is x.
Since the total balance of both cards is $12,000, the amount on the second card would be (12,000 - x).
In the first year, the interest charged on the first card at a rate of 10% would be 0.10x, and on the second card at a rate of 7% would be 0.07(12,000 - x).
The total interest charged in the first year is given as $960, so we can set up the following equation:
0.10x + 0.07(12,000 - x) = 960
Solving this equation, we find that x = $4,800.
Therefore, the balance on the first card is $4,800 and the balance on the second card is (12,000 - 4,800) = $7,200