Let’s assume the cost of a pen and pencil be ₹ x and ₹ y respectively.
Then, forming equations according to the question
5x + 6y = 9 … (i)
3x + 2y = 5 … (ii)
On multiplying equation (i) by 2 and equation (ii) by 6, we get
10x + 12y = 18 … (iii)
18x + 12y = 30 … (iv)
Now on subtracting equation (iii) from equation (iv), we get
18x – 10x + 12y – 12y = 30 – 18
8x = 12
x = 3/2 = 1.5
Putting x = 1.5 in equation (i), we find y
5(1.5) + 6y = 9
6y = 9 – 7.5
y = (1.5)/ 6 = 0.25
Therefore, the cost of one pen = ₹ 1.50 and so the cost of one pencil = ₹ 0.25
