"Gina rented a moon walk for 5 hours at a total cost of $235. Lori rented the same moon walk for 3 hours for a total cost of $165.
The cost of renting is based on a flat set-up fee + a rental rate per hour. How much is the set up fee? How much is the hourly rental fee?"
Please explain. I've tried everything I can think of!

Question

"Gina rented a moon walk for 5 hours at a total cost of $235. Lori rented the same moon walk for 3 hours for a total cost of $165.
The cost of renting is based on a flat set-up fee + a rental rate per hour. How much is the set up fee? How much is the hourly rental fee?"
Please explain. I've tried everything I can think of!

anonymous · Answer

you can look at the information and see there will be two functions: we can call them 
Gina
Lori

anonymous · Answer

each function will have a flat set up fee plus a rental rate

anonymous · Answer

you know?

anonymous · Answer

yes, but how do you solve?

anonymous · Answer

x+5y=@235
x+3y=165

anonymous · Answer

solve the bottom equation for x
x=165-3y
substitute into the first equation to solve for y
165-3y+5y=235

anonymous · Answer

what do you get for y

anonymous · Answer

@Kiralee

anonymous · Answer

y=35

anonymous · Answer

wth? did that and it didn't work....  thank you

anonymous · Answer

it didn't work? @Kiralee

anonymous · Answer

no, it did this time, but i did the same thing by myself 3 times before asking, got the same answers, but when i went to check it it was somehow off every time

anonymous · Answer

its always easier to start with the lesser of the two equations

anonymous · Answer

substituted into the larger of the two