Double checking simple algebra word problem?

A garden table and a bench cost combined. The garden table costs less than the bench. What is the cost of the bench?

Tags: Algebra, Bench, Garden Table

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One Response to “Double checking simple algebra word problem?”

1. MathMan TG Says:
   May 5th, 2010 at 4:58 am

   There are two pieces of information missing from your question:
   the total, T and difference D.

   A garden table and a bench cost [ $ T ] combined.
   The garden table costs [ $ D ] less than the bench.
   What is the cost of the bench?

   Then you would have:
   bench + table = T
   bench – table = D

   2b = T + D
   b = (T + D) / 2
   t = b – D

   So if for example, the combined cost is $200
   and the difference is $40,
   we have
   b = (T + D) / 2 = (200 + 40) / 2 = 120
   t = b – D = 120 – 40 = 80

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