A sporting goods store sells 2 fishing reels and 5 fishing rods for $243. Later, they sell 8 fishing reel and 6 fishing rods for $538. Find the price of each item

So substituting in numbers to see if they come near to the amounts

e. g.

if 1 rod is $30 times this b 5 and = $150

$243 - $150 = $93 divided by 2 = $46.50

Using this information then substitute into the other part of the question

6 rods x $30 = $180

8 reels x $46.50 = $372

372 + 180 = $552 too big

So start again

Choose 35

1 rod is 35 then 5 x 35 = 175

$243 - $175 = $68 divided by 2 = $34

Using this information then substitute into the other part of the question

6 rods x $35 = $210

8 reels x $34 = $272

210 + 272 = $482 too small

So choose number nearer to 30 so went for 31

31 x 5 = 155

243 - 155 = 88

88 divided by 2 = 44

So (2 x 44) + (5 x 31) = 243

So substituted in the numbers to part 2

31 x 6 rods = 186

44 x 8 = 352

186 + 352 = $538

So rods are $31

Reels are $44