At Barnes and Noble, Sylvia purchased a journal and a cookbook that cost a total of $54, not including tax. If the price of the journal, j, is $3 more than 2 times the price of the cookbook, c, which system of linear equations could be used to determine the price of each item?

Question

1. The equation for the total cost ____

2. The equation for the price of the journal ___

3. You can choose any method to solve this system: graphing, substitution, or elimination. Choose a method and solve for the price of the journal and the cookbook.

The price of the journal is ___

The price of the cookbook is ____

Answer 1

1. j + c = 54
2. j = 2c + 3

Using substitution:
2c + 3 + c = 54
3c = 51
c = 17
j = 2(17) + 3
j = 37

The price of the journal is $37.
The price of the cookbook is $17.