Answer:
one apple: 75 cents
one orange: 60 cents
Explanation:
let x be price of one apple
let y be price of one orange
3x + 4y = 4.65
5x + 8y = 8.55
we can do elimination, substitution, or graphing.
this is elimination: (we're eliminating the x in this case to find y, and then use y to find x)
ORIGINAL EQUATIONS: (we're multiplying by 5 so we can eliminate x)
3x + 4y = 4.65
5x + 8y = 8.55
5(3x + 4y = 4.65) = 15x + 20y = 23.25
3(5x + 8y) = 8.55 = 15x + 24y = 25.65
(distribute, and then subtract to get one equation and eliminate x)
15x + 20y = 23.25
- 15x + 24y = 25.65
------------------------------
0 - 4y = - 2.4
so we got that, now we make it this: -4y = -2.4
divide both sides by -4.
-4y = -2.4
----- -----
-4 -4
y (orange variable) = 0.60
therefore, one orange cost 60 cents.
plug y (the 60 cents) back into one of the original equations (either works) and solve for x.
3x + 4y = 4.65
5x + 8y = 8.55
let's use this equation: 5x + 8y = 8.55
5x + 8(0.6) = 8.55
5x + 4.8 = 8.55
-4.8 -4.8
5x = 3.75
---- ------
5 5
x = 0.75
therefore, one apple cost 75 cents.
(also, there was an easier number to multiple the equations by)
3x + 4y = 4.65
5x + 8y = 8.55
We could have multiplied (3x + 4y = 4.65) with 2, distributing and bringing it to 6x + 8y = 9.30
Then subtract 6x + 8y = 9.30 from 5x + 8y = 8.55, and you would have solved and gotten x just fine, then plugged x back in to find y)
sorry this answer is so long...good luck :))