Thread: simple question

can someone help on this i know its simple but i am on the road and cant answer it

6 lollies + 3 ice creams cost 8.52
3 ice creams + 6 drinks cost 9.24
how much does 1 ice cream, 1 drink and a 1 lolly cost

6 lol + 3 ice = 8.52
3 ice + 6 drink = 9.24 add them

6 lol + 3 ice + 3ice + 6 drink = 8.25 + 9.24 then divide by 6

Adding the two equations gives the cost of 6 of each. Then simply divide by 6:

am i going mad but doesn't that give you the average price of the 3 not the individual prices??

You did not ask for the price of each! In fact, since you have only two equations with three unknown prices, you can't solve for individual prices. However, it happens that the two given equations reduce to a single equation that gives the "average cost" as well as the total cost of one of each of the three items which was what you asked.

Originally Posted by HallsofIvy

You did not ask for the price of each! In fact, since you have only two equations with three unknown prices, you can't solve for individual prices. However, it happens that the two given equations reduce to a single equation that gives the "average cost" as well as the total cost of one of each of the three items which was what you asked.

Alice has saved £10 more than Becky.
Becky has saved £3 more than Charlie.
Altogether Alice, Becky and Charlie have saved £26.50.
How much has Alice saved?

Originally Posted by peter2727

Alice has saved £10 more than Becky.
Becky has saved £3 more than Charlie.
Altogether Alice, Becky and Charlie have saved £26.50.
How much has Alice saved?

Please post your working. Also, it is always better to start a new thread for a new problem.