Answer:
1 rose cost $1.5
1 carnation cost $0.5
Step-by-step explanation:
Let the price for one rose be r, price for one daisies be d and the price for one carnation be c
For Ben;
5r + 8d + 2c = 14.5
For Alex
3r + 12d + c = 14
For Joe
10r + d + 3c = 17.25
From equation iii;
d = 17.25- 10r - 3c
Insert this into the first two equations;
5r + 8(17.25-10r-3c) + 2c = 14.5
5r + 138 - 80r -24c + 2c = 14.5
-75r -22c = -123.5
Thus;
75r + 22c = 123.5
Insert the formula for d in the second equation;
3r + 12(17.25-10r-3c) + c = 14
3r + 207 - 120r -36c + c = 14
-117r-35c = 14-207
117r + 35c = 193
So we have two equations to solve simultaneously;
75r + 22c = 123.5
117r + 35c = 193
Multiply first equation by 35 and second by 22
2625r + 770c = 4322.5
2574r + 780c = 4246
Subtract second from first
51r = 76.5
r = 76.5/51
r = 1.5
Insert this in the equation below;
75r + 22c = 123.5
75(1.5) + 22c = 123.5
112.5 + 22c = 123.5
22c = 123.5-112.5
22c = 11
c = 11/22
c = 0.5