John and his friend ordered lunch at a local sandwich shop. They each ordered a soft drink that costs $1.65. John orders a whole ham sandwich and his friend ordered half of a ham sandwich. Their total bill is $12.54. What equation can you use to find the cost c of a sandwich, and what is the value of c

a. $12.54 = $ 1.65 + c/2 + c b. $ 7.26

Step-by-step explanation:

a. What equation can you use to find the cost c of a sandwich

Let c be the cost of a whole ham sandwich. Now, the total bill = cost of drinks + cost of half a ham sandwich  + cost of a whole ham sandwich.

total bill = $ 12.54, cost of drinks = $ 1.65, cost of half a ham sandwich = c/2 and cost of a whole ham sandwich = c. So,

$12.54 = $ 1.65 + c/2 + c

b. What is the value of c

We then solve for c in the equation $12.54 = $ 1.65 + c/2 + c

collecting like terms, we have

$12.54 - $ 1.65 = c/2 + c

$ 10.89 = 3c/2

multiplying through by 2, we have

$ 10.89 × 2 = 3c

$ 21.78 = 3c

dividing through by 3, we have

c = $ 21.78/3

= $ 7.26

arrange the equations with like terms in columns.

analyze the coefficients of x or y.

add the equations and solve for the remaining variable.

substitute the value into either equation and solve.

check the solution.

step-by-step explanation: