Question

A store is having a sale on trail mix and jelly beans. For 9 pounds of trail mix and 7 pounds of jelly beans, the total cost is $53. For 3 pounds of trail mix and 5 pounds of jelly beans, the total cost is $25. Find the cost for each pound of trail mix and each pound of jelly beans.

Answer 1

$2.75 for trail mix

$3.75 jelly beans

Explanation:

Let x = cost of trail mix per pound

Let y = cost of jelly beans per pound

9x + 7y = 53 ⇒ multiply by -3 ⇒ -27x - 21y = -159

3x + 5y = 25 ⇒ multiply by 9 ⇒ 27x + 45y = 225 Add together

24y = 66

y = 2.75

Substitute 2.75 for y into either of the two equations to solve for x.

3x + 5y = 25

3x + 5(2.75) = 25

3x + 13.75 = 25 Subtract 13.75 from both sides

3x = 11.25 Divide both sides by 3

x = 3.75