Question

A group of boys wanted to buy a basketball. If each boy were to contribute $8, then they would be $2 short. If they were to contribute $9 each, they would have an extra $4. How many boys were there and what was the price of the basketball?

Answer 1

there are 6 boys and each basket ball costs 50$

Step-by-step explanation:

Answer 2

Number of boys = 6

Price of basketball =
`\$50`

Step-by-step explanation:

Given: If each boy were to contribute $8, then they would be $2 short. If they were to contribute $9 each, they would have an extra $4.

To find: Number of boys and the price of the basketball

Solution:

Let x denotes number of boys and y denotes the price of the basketball

If each boy were to contribute $8, then they would be $2 short, equation obtained is
`8x=y-2`

`8x-y=-2\,\,(i)`

If they were to contribute $9 each, they would have an extra $4, equation obtained is
`9x=y+4`

`9x-y=4\,\,(ii)`

Subtract equation (ii) from (i)

`(8x-y)-(9x-y)=-2-4\\-x=-6\\x=6`

Put
`x=6` in equation (i)

`8(6)-y=-2\\48-y=-2\\y=48+2\\y=50`

So,

Number of boys = 6

Price of basketball =
`\$50`