Question

Chris bought some gum for $0.15 each and some candy for $0.10 each. The amount of candy was 12 less than three times the amount of gum. He spent a total of $5.25. How much of each did he buy?

Use substitution to solve.

I tried solving this multiple times to no avail.

Answer 1

He bought 14⅓ packages of gum and 31 packages of candy.

Explanation:

"gum for $0.15 each and some candy for $0.10 each"

g and c are the numbers of gum and candy bought.

"amount of candy was 12 less than three times the amount of gum"

c = 3g-12

"He spent a total of $5.25"

0.15g + 0.10c = 5.25

substitute 3g-12 for c

0.15g + 0.10(3g-12) = 5.25

0.15g + 0.30g - 1.2 = 5.25

0.45g = 6.45

g = 6.45/0.45 = 14⅓

c = 3g-12 = 31

He bought 14⅓ packages of gum and 31 packages of candy.

14⅓ is absurd, but that's what the numbers say.