7-11 Problem*


A guy walks into a 7-11 store and selects four items to buy. The clerk at the counter informs the gentleman that the total cost of the four items is $7.11. He was completely surprised that the cost was the same as the name of the store. The clerk informed the man that he simply multiplied the cost of each item and arrived at the total. The customer calmly informed the clerk that the items should be added and not multiplied. The clerk then added the items together and informed the customer that the total was still exactly $7.11.

What are the exact costs of each item?


Note: I interpret the "exactly" and "exact" to mean just that -- not "to the nearest penny."   Find a solution with this strict interpretation of "exactly"

JWW


Hint? Click HERE if you have tried the problem and would like a hint.


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*Problem from Professor Doug Brumbaugh, (now deceased) University of Central Florida.