for 1800$ you can buy 3 computers and 1 printer. if the price of a computer will go down by 500$, then for 1300$ you can buy 2 computers and 2 printers. what is the cost of a computer?
3C+1P=1800 (eqn 1a) $$\rightarrow$$ P=1800-3C (eqn 1b)
2(C-500)+2P=1300 (eqn 2a)
2C-1000+2P=1300 (eqn 2b)
2C+2P = 2300 (eqn 2c)
C+P=1150 (eqn 2d)
sub P=1800-3C into equation (eqn 2d)
C+1800-3C=1150
-2C=-650
C=$325
The original cost of the computer is $325
This doesn look right because it means that the price fell ot a negative number which is pretty silly.
But I will keep thinking about it anyway.
Check
1P=1800-3*625 = $825
3c+1P=3*325+825=$1800 correct
If the price of the computers fell by 500 then they fell to 325-500=-$175
Now 2 computers and 2 printers cost -175*2+2*825 = $1300 correct
Okay, the answer is correct. The only way this works is if the computers have become so obsolete that the company will PAY $175 to have them taken away.