Question

A student government organization is selling Christmas trees as a fundraiser. On Friday, they sold 5 noble fir trees and 3 douglas fir trees for a total of $420. On Saturday, 12 noble fir trees and 9 douglas fir trees were sold for a total of $1,080. What is the cost per tree for each type?

Answer 1

The cost of noble fir tree is $60.

The cost of douglas fir tree is $40.

Explanation:

Given : A student government organization is selling Christmas trees as a fundraiser.

To find : What is the cost per tree for each type?

Solution :

Let x be the cost of noble fir tree.

and y be the cost of douglas fir tree.

On Friday, they sold 5 noble fir trees and 3 douglas fir trees for a total of $420.

i.e.
`5x + 3y = 420` ....(1)

On Saturday, 12 noble fir trees and 9 douglas fir trees were sold for a total of $1,080.

i.e.
`12x + 9y = 1080`

`4x +3y =360` ......(2)

Solving equation (1) and (2),

Subtract (2) from (1),

`5x + 3y-(4x +3y)= 420-360`

`5x + 3y-4x-3y=60`

`x=60`

Substitute in equation (1),

`5(60)+ 3y = 420`

`300+ 3y = 420`

`3y=120`

`y=40`

The cost of noble fir tree is $60.

The cost of douglas fir tree is $40.