Bill bought 2 chicken sandwiches and 3 bowls of vegetable soup for $16.50. Sam bought 1 chicken sandwich and 2 bowls of vegetable soup for $9.50. What was the cost of a bowl of a soup?
+36916 Given:
2c + 3b = 16.50
1c + 2b = 9.50 <===== multiply this equation by -2 then add to top equation ( this will eliminate 'c')
-2c -4b = -19.00 now add the top and the bottom
-b = -2.50
b = $ 5.00
+2666 \(c = \) Number of chicken sandwiches purchased
\(s\) = Number of vegetable soups purchased
\(2c+3s=16.50\) (1)
\(c+2s=9.50\) (2)
Subtract \(2s\) from both sides: \(c=9.50-2s\)
Substitute into (1): \(2(9.50-2s)+3s=16.50\)
Simplify: \(19-4s+3s=16.50\)
Solve: \(s = \color{brown}\boxed{2.50}\)
+36916 Ha! BB is correct ! I do not know why I typed that last line 
Corrected... THANX, BB !
-b = -2.50
b = $ 2.50
