Answer:
All of these terms are dollar amounts.
Explanation:
Here, x + y = 10 (where these numerals represent counts)
(1/2)x + (1/4)y = 4 (where (1/2), (1/4) and 4 are dollar amounts)
Let's eliminate y. To accomplish this, mult. the 2nd eq'n by-4, obtaining
-2x - y = -16, and then combining this with the 1st equation, as follows:
-2x - y = -16
x + y = 10
-------------------
-x = -6, or x = 6. This represents the number of pens purchased by Terrance.
Subbing 6 for x in the first equation, we get y = 4. This represents the number of pencils he bought.
($0.50)x + ($0.25)y = $4.00 (dollar amounts)