Suppose x represents the cost of an item on the top shelf, y represents the cost of an item on the bottom shelf.
Statement 1: You can purchase 4 items from the top shelf and 2 items from the bottom shelf for $14.
Mathematically, we have;

Statement 2: You can purchase 2 items from the top shelf and 5 items from the bottom shelf for $ 19.
Mathematically, we have;

Then, we would solve the system of equations using elimination method.
Subtract equation 1 from equation 2, we have;

Then, we substitute the value of y in equation 1, we have;

Thus, the cost of an item on the top shelf and the bottom shelf respectively are;
