Agift basket that contains jars of jam and packages of bread mix costs $45. there are 8 items in the basket. jars of jam cost $6 each, and packages of bread mix cost $5 each

The equation you had:
6x + 5y = 45

Solve for Y:
5y = (-6x)    + 45 divide by 5
y   = (-6/5)x + 9
y   = -1 1/5x +9

Steps to solve this equation:

Have x represent the jam

Have y represent the bread mix.

6x + 5y = 45

That's the most it can be simplified, and the problem doesn't specify what it wants, so I guess your finished.