Posted by intooder@yahoo.com (192.112.251.48) on October 08, 2003 at 11:52:39:
In Reply to: calculate 2 unknown variables to equal a known sum posted by on October 08, 2003 at 08:56:55:
There are 2 different basic ways you can solve these, depending on which variable you want solved first:
I) Multiply both side of equation (1) with 3 giving you:
6m + 15p = $1099.50
and both sides of equation (2) with 2 giving you:
6m + 8p = $655.00
Now subtract eq (2) from (1) which gives you:
7p = $444.50
Therefore p = $63.50
Now substitute the value of p in either eq (1) or (2). Either one should result in m = $24.50. You can verify this by subtituting the value of p in the other equation and making sure m comes out to be the same.
II) The second way is the same procedure, except it involves multiplying eq (1) by 4 and eq (2) by 5. This should result in the same values for m and p except that it first solves m and then p.
I would go for method (I) since it involves multiplying with lower numbers.
Good Luck