A box of chalk and 2 staplers cost $10. Three boxes of chalk and 2 staplers cost $18. Find the total cost of 1 box of chalk and 1 stapler.

staples = s

chalk = c

c + 2s = 10
3c + 2s = 18

-c-2s = -10
3c + 2s = 18

2c = 8

c = 4
s = 3

c + s

4 + 3 = 7
The total cost $7.

To solve this problem, we can use a system of equations. Let's assign variables to the unknowns: let's say the cost of one box of chalk is "x" dollars and the cost of one stapler is "y" dollars.

From the given information, we can form the following equations:

Equation 1: x + 2y = 10 (One box of chalk and 2 staplers cost $10)

Equation 2: 3x + 2y = 18 (Three boxes of chalk and 2 staplers cost $18)

We can solve this system of equations using substitution or elimination. Let's use elimination to solve for x and y:

Multiply Equation 1 by 3 and Equation 2 by 1 to make the coefficients of "y" the same:

3(x + 2y) = 3(10) (Equation 1 multiplied by 3)

1(3x + 2y) = 1(18) (Equation 2 multiplied by 1)

Now we have:

3x + 6y = 30

3x + 2y = 18

Subtract the second equation from the first to eliminate x:

(3x + 6y) - (3x + 2y) = 30 - 18

4y = 12

Divide both sides of the equation by 4:

y = 3

Now substitute the value of y back into Equation 1:

x + 2(3) = 10

x + 6 = 10

Subtract 6 from both sides of the equation:

x = 4

So, the cost of one box of chalk is $4 and the cost of one stapler is $3. The total cost of one box of chalk and one stapler is $4 + $3 = $7.