A certain store sells all maps at one price and all books at another price. On Monday the store sold 12 maps and 10 books for a total of $38.00, and on Tuesday the store sold 20 maps and 15 books for a total of $60.00. At this store, how much less does a map sell for than a book?

(A) $0.25

(B) $0.50

(C) $0.75

(D) $1.00

(E) $l. 25

(B) $0.50

Explanation:

The total cost is a function of the number of maps sold and the number of books sold. To determine the cost of each, a set of equations have to be solved simultaneously.

Let the cost of a map be m and that of a book be b

12m + 10b = 38

20m + 15b = 60

6m + 5b = 19

4m/3 + b = 4, b = 4 - 4m/3

6m + 20 - 20m/3 = 19

2m/3 = 1

m = 3/2 = 1.50

b = 4 - 4m/3

b = 4 - 2 = 2

The cost of a book is $2 while that of a map is $1.50

Hence a map sell for $0.50 less than a book.