Final answer:
To determine the number of pounds of Type A coffee used in the blend, an algebraic equation is set up with x representing the amount of Type A coffee. After solving the equation, it is found that 40 pounds of Type A coffee were used in Miguel's coffee shop blend.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question pertains to a mixture problem where Miguel's coffee shop makes a blend that is a combination of two types of coffee: Type A and Type B. According to the problem, Type A costs $5.95 per pound and Type B costs $4.65 per pound. The blend uses three times as many pounds of Type B as Type A. The total cost for this month's blend is $796.00.
To find out how many pounds of Type A were used, let's designate the amount of Type A coffee as x pounds. Therefore, there will be 3x pounds of Type B coffee. The total cost for Type A coffee is then $5.95x and the total cost for Type B coffee is $4.65(3x). The equation formed by these expressions is:
5.95x + 4.65(3x) = 796
5.95x + 13.95x = 796
19.9x = 796
x = 40
Thus, 40 pounds of Type A coffee were used. The correct answer is (a) 40.