Question

A store is having a sale on trail mix and jelly beans. For 2 pounds of trail mix and 3 pounds of jelly beans, the total cost is 13. For 4 pounds of trail mix and 8 pounds of jelly beans, the total cost is $33. Find the cost for each pound of trail mix and each pound of jelly beans.

Answer 1

• trail mix: $1.25
• jelly beans: $3.50 per pound

Explanation:

The difference between double the first purchase and the second purchase is $7 and 2 pounds of jelly beans. Hence a pound of jelly beans is $3.50.

(4t +8j) -2(2t +3j) = (33) -2(13) . . . . . let t and j represent pounds of trail mix and jelly beans, respectively

2j = 7 . . . . . . . . . . simplify

j = 7/2 = 3.50

Using that value in the first purchase, we get ...

2t +3(3.50) = 13

2t = 13 -10.50

t = 2.50/2 = 1.25

A pound of trail mix is $1.25.