jordan33
Oct 14, 2009, 12:50 PM
Lydia wants to buy picnic tables, benches, and permanently installed grills. On one page she notices that 5 picnic tables, 10 benches, and 3 grills sell for $1330. On another page she sees that 20 picnic tables, 30 benches, and 20 grills sell for $5550. Finally, on a third page she sees that 2 picnic tables and 4 benches sell for $430. Help Lydia find the individual prices for the three items. Define three variables, write a system of equations, and solve to find the cost of each item. Justify your answer by showing how you solved the problem, and check the solution.
Help please I'm stuck!
Just Looking
Oct 14, 2009, 02:35 PM
I have solved the problem, but rather than give you the answer I will walk you through it if you are willing. You need to show your work.
1. Start by defining 3 variables. For example, x = picnic tables
2. Write 3 equations using these variables and the three statements that are given. That is for example, 5 tables + 10 benches + 3 grills = 1330, only using the variables you listed in #1.
3. You will be using your third statement (as it only uses 2 variables) to define one of these variables, and then will replace the defined variable in your first statement - that is, if you solve for x, you can this use this statement to replace x in the first equation.
I'm not sure where you are stuck, but if you'll show your work as far as you got, we can go from there.