A washer and a dryer cost $897 combined. The washer costs $53 less than the dryer. What is the cost of the dryer?
Let x be the cost of the dryer.
Then the cost of the washer is x - $53.
The total cost of the washer and dryer is x + x - $53 = $897.
Combining like terms, we get 2x - $53 = $897.
Adding $53 to both sides, we get 2x = $950.
Dividing by 2, we get x = $475.
Therefore, the cost of the dryer is $475.