Answer:
The bench cost $364
Explanation:
Hey there,
Before starting, you want two separate variables to represent both the table and the bench.
Let's do this...
Garden table: x
Bench: y
*Note the variables don't have to be x and y, they just have to be two different variables, I just chose x and y. Any letter works as long as they're different.
We then know that the garden table PLUS the bench had a total cost of $814.
Going back to our variables, we could represent this system by saying...
x + y = 814
(remember x is the garden table and y is the bench)
We also know that the garden table costs $86 LESS than the bench.
Going back to our variables, we could represent this by saying...
x - 86 = y
(x - 86 is basically saying that the garden table minus $86 equals the cost of the bench)
Just by looking at this, we know that y is equal to x - 86.
Here's what you have to do...
Plug in y for the first equation...
x - 86 = y
x + ( x - 86 ) = 814
Now, solve...
2x - 86 = 814
Add 86 on both sides...
2x = 900
divide by two on both sides...
x = 450
We now know that the garden table costs $450. But how do we find the cost of the bench? Plug in x back into the original equation...
x + y = 814
(450) + y = 814
subtract 450 on both sides...
You get y = 364
The bench has a total cost of $364
I really hope this helped :)