Question

3. At a bargain store, Tanya bought 4 items that each cost the same amount. Tony bought 5 items that each cost the same amount, but each was $1.25 less than the items that Tanya bought. Both Tanya and Tony paid the same amount of money. What was the individual cost of each person's items? (a) Write an equation. Let x represent the cost of one of Tanya's items. (b) Solve the equation. Show your work. (c) Check your solution. Show your work. (d) State the solution in complete sentences

Answer 1

We'll do it in cents and convert when we have to.

Tanya paid x per item, a total of 4x.

Tony paid x-125 per item (in cents) for a total of 5(x-125)

4x = 5(x-125)

4x = 5x - 625

x = 625 = $6.25  

Check:

4(625) = 2500

5(625-125)=2500, same, checks

Answer: Tanya paid $6.25 per item, Tony $5.00 per item