A washer and a dryer cost $796 combined. The washer cost $54 less than the dryer. What is the cost of the dryer?

Explanation:

w = cost of washer

d = cost of dryer

costs are in dollars

w+d = 796 since the two costs combine to get a total cost of $796

w = d-54 because the washer is $54 cheaper

Let's start with the first equation and plug in the second equation

w+d = 796

(w) + d = 796

(d-54)+d = 796 ... replace w with d-54

d-54+d = 796

2d-54 = 796

2d = 796+54 ... adding 54 to both sides

2d = 850

d = 850/2 ... dividing both sides by 2

d = 425

The dryer costs $425

We can stop here.

If you want to find the cost of the washer, then,

w = d-54

w = 425-54 plug in d = 425

w = 371

The washer costs $371

Note that

w+d = 371+425 = 796

which matches with the total cost we were given. This confirms our answer.