Barter

A man has bought 6 oxen and 5 cow of $ 17120 and would lose $160 by exchanging 3 oxen for 5 cows. What is the price of a cow?

Answer:

Exchange: 3 oxen for 5 cows

So, 6 oxen for 10 cows == loss = 160 x 2 = $320

Now, 6 oxen + 5 cow = 10 cow + 5 cow = $17120 – $320 = $16800

Therefore, 15 cow = $ 16800

Or, 1 cow = 16800/15 = $ 1120

If 50 meters of muslin and $ 360 is given in exchange for 36 meters of silk at $30 per meter, then what is the price of muslin?

Answer:

Cost of 36 meters of silk = $30 x 36 = $ 1080

50 meters of muslin + $ 360 = $ 1080

Therefore 50 meters of muslin = $720

So, price of muslin = $720/50 = $ 14.4