A party rental company has chairs and tables for rent. The total cost to rent 5 chairs and 2 tables is $18. The total cost to rent 3 chairs and 8 tables is $55. What is the cost to rent each chair and each table ?

Answer 1

5 c + 2 t = 18
3 c + 8 t = 55
multiply first eqn by 4
20c + 8 t = 72
3 c + 8 t = 55
------------------------- subtract
17 c = 17
c = $ 1.00
etc

Answer 2

5c + 2t = 18
3c + 8t = 55
Multiply first equation by 4, then subtract second equation from the first.
You should be able to take it from there.