Exercise SSLE.C53 Robert Beezer

An article in The Economist (“Free Exchange”, December 6, 2014) quotes the following problem as an illustration that some of the “underlying assumptions of classical economics” about people's behavior are incorrect and “the mind plays tricks.” A bat and ball cost \$1.10 between them. How much does each cost? Answer this quickly with no writing, then construct system of linear equations and solve the problem carefully.

Solution