Charles owns a hardware store. He put hammers and nails on sale last weekend. His first customer bought 3 hammers and 16 nails for $22.96. His last customer bought 2 hammers and 20 nails for $16.80. What was the sale price for hammers and nails?

the sale price of one hammer is $6.8

the sale price of one nail is $0.16

Step-by-step explanation:

Let x represent the sale price of one hammer.

Let y represent the sale price of one nail.

His first customer bought 3 hammers and 16 nails for $22.96. It means that

3x + 16y = 22.96- - - - - - - - -1

His last customer bought 2 hammers and 20 nails for $16.80. It means that

2x + 20y = 16.8- - - - - - - - - 2

Multiplying equation 1 by 2 and equation 2 by 3, it becomes

6x + 32y = 45.92

6x + 60y = 50.4

Subtracting, it becomes

- 28y = - 4.48

y = - 4.48/- 28

y = 0.16

Substituting y = 0.16 into equation 2, it becomes

2x + 20 × 0.16 = 16.8

2x + 3.2 = 16.8

2x = 16.8 - 3.2

2x = 13.6

x = 13.6/2

x = 6.8