Question

If a riding mower costs $300 more than a self-propelled mower and the combined cost of the two mowers is $1100, what is the cost of each mower?

Answer 1

The riding mower is $700 and the self-propelled mower is $400.

Explanation:

Because the riding mower is $300 more, the x in your equation will be the cost of the self-propelled mower.
riding mower= x+300
self-propelled mower= x
total cost= 1100

The equation is then built as the following based on the above.

1100=x+(x+300)

There are no coefficients involved based on the given information that there are only two mowers.

Then we solve:
1100=2x+300
1100-300=2+300-300
800=2x

Divide both sides by 2
400=x

So, the riding mower is $700 and the self-propelled mower is $400.

Answer 2

The self-propelled mower costs `$400`, and the riding mower costs `$700`.

Explanation:

Let `x` equal the cost of the self-propelled mower, and `(x+$300)` equal the cost of the riding mower.

`x+(x+$300)=$1100`

Simplify.

`2x+$300=$1100`

Subtract `$300` from both sides.

`2x=$1100-300`

`2x=$800`

Divide both sides by `2`.

`x=$400`

`x+$300=$400+$300=$700`

The self-propelled mower costs `$400`, and the riding mower costs `$700`.