Step-by-step explanation
In the question, we are given that Mrs.Singh purchased 31 softcover books and hardcover books. Let softcover books and the hardcover book be x and y respectively.
Therefore;

Also, each softcopy book costs $3.50 and hard copy books cost $14.50.

The next step is to solve the simultaneous equation.

Substitute equation iii into ii

Next, we substitute the value of y in equation iii

Therefore the answers are:
Soft cover books: 19 books
Hard coverbooks: 12 books