Siti spent a total of $198 on some plates and bowls. she bought 2 more plates than bowls. each plate cost $3 and each bowl cost $5. how many plates did siti buy?

Plate = $3
bowl = $5

Put one plate and one bowl in a set
One plate and one bowl = 3 + 5 = $8

Siti bought 2 more plates (2 x 3 = $6) ... we take the two plates out from $198
$198 - $6 = $192

Now the money is spent on equal number of plates and bowls
192 ÷ $8 = 24 

Numbers of plates = 24 + 2 = 26