Question

Beth sold 1 pecan cheesecake and 4 strawberry cheesecakes for a total of $87. James sold 8 pecan cheesecakes and 12 strawberry cheesecakes for a total of $296 find the cost of each of one pecan cheesecake and one strawberry cheesecake.

Answer 1

One pecan cheese cake costs $8, One Strawberry cheesecake costs $19.75

Explanation:

8p + 12s = 296

1p + 4s = 87

1p + 4s = 87 is multiplied until one of the pieces equals 8 or 12

1 x 8 = 8 4 x 8 = 32 87 x 8 = 696

now we subtract

8p + 32s = 696

- 8p + 12s = 296

20s = 400

s = 20

Now we plug it into one of the original equations

8p + 12(20) = 296

8p + 240 = 296

296 - 240 = 56

8p = 56

56 / 8 = 7

p = 7

I understand that the first part doesn't make any since, but when you put them both into the equation the exact answer is $19.75