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It seems to me that if you try really hard there are three possible readings of
"A bat and a ball cost a dollar and ten cents"
BAT + BALL = $1.10 (A bat and ball together cost a total of $1.10)
BAT = $1.10 and BALL = $1.10 (A bat and a ball each cost $1.10)
BAT = $1 and BALL = 10 (A bat and a ball cost $1 and 10 cents respectively)
But you are also told that "The bat costs a dollar more than the ball. " so
BAT - BALL = $1
which means that neither interpretation 2 or 3 are possible so it must be 1 that is meant.
So you are left with two simultaneous equations
BAT + BALL = $1.10
BAT - BALL = $1
Solve as you like but I would add them both to get 2 BAT = $2.10 so BAT = $1.05 and then substitute into the second one to get BALL = $0.05. Or just do it in your head.
There are no inequality signs anywhere that I can see.
Michael
Permalink Sat, 16 Jun 2012 00:42:39 UTC | #947649