Final answer:
To find the cost of one bottle of water, we set up and solved a system of linear equations based on the given conditions. The cost is determined to be $0.53 per bottle after solving the equation.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question involves solving a system of linear equations to find the cost of one bottle of water when 5 bottles of water and 5 cans of soda cost $8 altogether, and 5 bottles of water cost half as much as 5 cans of soda.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Let the cost of one bottle of water be w dollars.
- As given, the cost of 5 bottles of water is half the cost of the 5 cans of soda. So, if 5 bottles cost 5w dollars, the 5 cans of soda cost 2 * 5w = 10w dollars.
- Since the total cost for 5 bottles of water and 5 cans of soda is $8, we combine the costs: 5w + 10w = 8.
- Solve the equation: 15w = 8, which gives us w = 8 / 15.
- Therefore, the cost of one bottle of water is $0.53 (rounded to two decimal places).