Question

How many pounds of peanuts costing $3.00 a pound should be mixed with 4 pounds of cashews costing $4.50 a pound to obtain a mixture costing $3.50 a pound?

Answer 1

2/3 pounds of peanuts and

1/3 pound of cashews for every 1 pound of the mixture.

Explanation:

Let x = the pounds of peanuts

Let 1-x = the pounds of cashews.

3x + 4.5(1 - x) = 3.5 Distribute the 4.5

3x + 4.5 - 4.5x = 3.5 Combine like terms

-1.5x + 4.5 = 3.5 Subtract 4.5 from both sides

-1.5x = -1 Divide both sides by -1.5

x = 2/3 This is the pounds of peanuts

1-x

1 - 2/3 = 1/3 This is the pounds of cashews.