Answer: The dryer costs $425
======================================================
Step-by-step explanation:
w = cost of washer
d = cost of dryer
costs are in dollars
w+d = 796 since the two costs combine to get a total cost of $796
w = d-54 because the washer is $54 cheaper
-------------------------
Let's start with the first equation and plug in the second equation
w+d = 796
(w) + d = 796
(d-54)+d = 796 ... replace w with d-54
d-54+d = 796
2d-54 = 796
2d = 796+54 ... adding 54 to both sides
2d = 850
d = 850/2 ... dividing both sides by 2
d = 425
The dryer costs $425
We can stop here.
-------------
If you want to find the cost of the washer, then,
w = d-54
w = 425-54 .... plug in d = 425
w = 371
The washer costs $371
Note that
w+d = 371+425 = 796
which matches with the total cost we were given. This confirms our answer.