Question

Mitch bought four cookbooks and one novel for a total of $68.75. Each cookbook cost the same price. The novel cost $7 dollars less than a cookbook.

How much did each cookbook cost?

Enter your answer in the space provided.

$

Answer 1

Let the cost of each cookbook be \( x \). Since the novel costs $7 less than a cookbook, the cost of the novel is \( x - 7 \).

Mitch bought four cookbooks and one novel, which gives us the equation:
\[
4x + (x - 7) = 68.75
\]

Now, simplify the equation:
\[
4x + x - 7 = 68.75
\]
\[
5x - 7 = 68.75
\]

Next, add 7 to both sides:
\[
5x = 68.75 + 7
\]
\[
5x = 75.75
\]

Now, divide both sides by 5 to solve for \( x \):
\[
x = \frac{75.75}{5}
\]
\[
x = 15.15
\]

Thus, the cost of each cookbook is \( \boxed{15.15} \).