Chapter 8.2, Problem 34E

Use a system of linear equations in three variables to solve Exercises 33–41.

The bar graph shows the average annual spending per person on selected items in 1980 and 2010. All dollar amounts are adjusted for inflation. Use this display to solve Exercises 33–34.

In this exercise, we refer to annual spending per person in 1980. The combined spending on housing, vehicles/gas, and health care was $7073. The difference between spending on housing and spending on vehicles/gas was $1247. The difference between spending on housing and spending on health care was $1466. Find the average per-person spending on housing, vehicles/gas, and health care in 1980.