Final answer:
In approximately 10 months after the beginning of January 2002, the price of ground beef and tuna fish were the same, and the price was $2.00 per pound.
Step-by-step explanation:
To find the number of months after the beginning of January 2002 when the price of ground beef and tuna fish were the same, we need to determine when their prices are equal. The price of ground beef increases by $0.03 per month, while the price of tuna fish decreases by $0.02 per month. We can set up the following equation to represent their prices:
Price of ground beef = Price of tuna fish
$1.70 + $0.03x = $2.20 - $0.02x
Simplifying the equation, we get:
$0.03x + $0.02x = $2.20 - $1.70
$0.05x = $0.50
x = $0.50 / $0.05
x = 10
Therefore, in approximately 10 months after the beginning of January 2002, the price of ground beef and tuna fish were the same, and the price was $1.70 + $0.03(10) = $2.00 per pound.