Sure, let's break down the problem step-by-step:
1. Define the variables:
- Let the cost of a single pen be [tex]\( p \)[/tex].
2. Cost relationships:
- According to the problem, the cost of a box is the same as the cost of 3 pens.
- Therefore, the cost of a box = [tex]\( 3p \)[/tex].
3. Total cost:
- The total combined cost of one pen and one box is the sum of their individual costs.
- The cost of one pen is [tex]\( p \)[/tex].
- The cost of one box is [tex]\( 3p \)[/tex].
- Therefore, the total cost is [tex]\( p + 3p = 4p \)[/tex].
4. Results:
- The cost of a box is [tex]\( 3p \)[/tex].
- The total cost of a pen and a box together is [tex]\( 4p \)[/tex].
Hence, the cost of the box is [tex]\( 3p \)[/tex] and the total cost for a pen and a box is [tex]\( 4p \)[/tex].
