Question

Scott and Ashley each improved their yards by planting daylilies and ivy. They bought their

supplies from the same store. Scott spent $170 on 12 daylilies and 13 pots of ivy. Ashley spent
$172 on 14 daylilies and 2 pots of ivy. What is the cost of one daylily and the cost of one pot of
ivy?

Answer 1

x = cost of daylily = $12

y = cost of ivy = $2

Explanation:

Let

x = cost of daylily

y = cost of ivy

Scott:

12x + 13y = 170

Ashley:

14x + 2y = 172

12x + 13y = 170 (1)

14x + 2y = 172 (2)

Multiply (1) by 14 and (2) by 12

168x + 182y = 2380 (3)

168x + 24y = 2064 (4)

Subtract (4) from (3) to eliminate x

182y - 24y = 2380 - 2064

158y = 316

y = 316/158

y = 2

Substitute y = 2 into (1)

12x + 13y = 170 (1)

12x + 13(2) = 170

12x + 26 = 170

12x = 170 - 26

12x = 144

x = 144/12

x = 12

x = cost of daylily = $12

y = cost of ivy = $2