Adam pays $18.40 for 3 stickers and 2 beads.
A sticker costs $4.30 more than 1 bead.
What is the cost of 4 stickers and 2 beads?
Choose the cheaper item to be 1 u.
1 sticker costs $4.30 more than 1 bead.
The cheaper item is the bead.

Cost of the bead = 1 u
Cost of the sticker = 1 u + 4.30

Cost of 3 stickers = 3 x (1 u + 4.30) = 3 u + 12.90
Cost of 2 beads = 2 u

Total cost of 3 stickers and 2 beads
= 3 u + 12.90 + 2 u
= 3 u + 2 u + 12.90
= 5 u + 12.90

5 u + 12.90 = 18.40
5 u = 18.40 - 12.90
5 u = 5.50

1 u = 5.50 ÷ 5 = 1.10

Cost of 4 stickers and 2 beads
= 4 x (1 u + 4.30) + 2 u
= 4 u + 17.20 + 2 u
= 4 u + 2 u + 17.20
= 6 u + 17.20
= 6 x 1.10 + 17.20
= 6.60 + 17.20
= $23.80

Answer(s): $23.80