Define variables:
w = price of a sweater, in dollars
h = price of a shirt, in dollars
2. Set up two equations representing the problem:
w+=+2h+-+5
4h+%2B+3w+=+275
3. Since an equation for one variable is solved, substitute the answer for the variable in the other equation:
4h+%2B+3%282h+-+5%29+=+275
4. Distribute the 3:
4h+%2B+6h+-+15+=+275
5. Combine two terms:
10h+-+15+=+275
6. Add 15 to both sides:
10h+-+15+%2B+15+=+275+%2B+15
7. Cancel and combine terms:
10h+=+290
8. Divide both sides by 10:
%2810h%29%2F10+=+290%2F10
9. Finish simplification:
h+=+29
10. Replace h in your first equation:
w+=+2%2829%29+-+5
11. Solve for w:
w+=+58+-+5
w+=+53
12. Combine your solved equations with your variable definitions for your answer:
A shirt costs $29 and a sweater costs $53.
