Answer:
Cost of one bush = x = $9
Cost of one bonsai tree = y = $32
Step-by-step explanation:
Let Cost of one bush = x
Cost of one bonsai tree = y
From the expression: A company paid $ 391 for 15 bushes and 8 bonsai trees
We made equation: [tex]15x+8y=391[/tex]
and From the expression: They had to purchase 9 more bushes and 5 more bonsai trees for $ 241 , we made equation: [tex]9x+5y=241[/tex]
Solving both equations simultaneously we can find value of x and y
Let:
[tex]15x+8y=391--eq(1)\\9x+5y=241--eq(2)[/tex]
We will use elimination method to solve these equations.
Multiply eq(1) by 5 and eq(2) by 8 and subtract
[tex]75x+49y=1955\\72x+40y=1928\\- \ \ \ - \ \ \ \ \ \ \ -\\--------\\3x=27\\x=\frac{27}{3}\\x=9[/tex]
So, value of x=9
Now finding value of y by putting value of x in equation 1
[tex]15x+8y=391\\Put \ x=9\\15(9)+8y=391\\135+8y=391\\8y=391-135\\8y=256\\y=\frac{256}{8}\\y=32[/tex]
So, value of y=32
Cost of one bush = x = $9
Cost of one bonsai tree = y = $32
