We have:
Let x = number of apples
Let y = number of oranges
Maggie bought three times as many apples as she did oranges, this is:
x = 3y
$3 each apple
$2.50 each orange
Total cost $46
Then, we have the expression:
Next, solve the system of equations:
we replace x = 3y in the second equation
And solve for y
Therefore, x is: