Question

Michael bought four tacos and a burrito and paid $9.50. Noah bought two tacos and three burritos and paid $11. Based on the information, what is the cost of one taco?

$1.00
$1.50
$1.75
$2.50

Answer 1

2t+3b=11 (1)*2
4t+b=9.5 (2)
4t+6b=22 (3)
(3)-(2)
5b=12.5
b=2.5
4t+2.5=9.5 (2)
4t=7
taco=$1.75

Answer 2

In order to solve this equation you could use guess and check with multiple choice, or you can set up a system of equations.
First we must define our variables:
x=price of taco
y=price of burrito
Michael bought 4 tacos (4x) and (+) and Burrito (y) for $9.50 (=9.5)
4x+y=9.50
Noah bought two tacos (2x) and (+) three burritos (3y) for (=) $11 (11)
2x+3y=11
To solve this system of equations you can easily see substitution as the easiest method. For substitution we must isolate one variable:
4x+y=9.50
y=-4x+9.5
We can now replace the y in the other equation:
2x+3(-4x+9.5)=11
Then solve this equation to get the price of a taco (x)
2x-12x+28.5=11
-10x=-17.5
x=1.75
The price of a taco would be $1.75