Shelly purchased 6 25'-tape measures and 2 chalk line reels for
$78. Sean purchased one 25'-tape
measure and 3 chalk line reels from
the same store for $29. What was
the price of each 25'-tape measure
and each chalk line reel?

Price of one 25'-tape measure = $11

Price of one chalk line reels = $6

Step-by-step explanation:

Let t = price of one 25'-tape measure, and

let c = price of one chalk line reel

"Shelly purchased 6 25'-tape measures and 2 chalk line reels for $78."

6t + 2c = 78

"Sean purchased one 25'-tape measure and 3 chalk line reels ... for $29."

t + 3c = 29

We have a system of two equations in two variables. We will solve it with teh substitution method.

Solve the second equation for t.

t = 29 - 3c

Substitute 29 - 3c for t in the first equation.

6(29 - 3c) + 2c = 78

174 - 18c + 2c = 78

-16c = -96

c = 6

Substitute 6 for c in the second original equation.

t + 3(6) = 29

t + 18 = 29

t = 11

Price of one 25'-tape measure = $11

Price of one chalk line reel = $6