Final answer:
To solve the question, we use the given purchases to create a system of equations and then solve for the price of individual items. The price of one sandwich is $2.50, and the price of one drink is $1. Jessica's total cost for 2 sandwiches and 3 drinks will be $8.
Step-by-step explanation:
The subject of this question is Mathematics, specifically it involves a problem-solving situation where we need to determine the cost of individual items based on the total cost of combined items. Lucy, Melissa, and Jessica's purchases at Subway give us the information we need to solve for the individual price of sandwiches and drinks. By using a system of equations, we can find out the cost of 2 sandwiches and 3 drinks for Jessica.
We know from the problem that:
- Lucy bought 3 sandwiches and 2 drinks for $9.50.
- Melissa bought 4 sandwiches and 2 drinks for $12.
Let's assign variables to the unknowns: let 's' be the cost of one sandwich, and 'd' be the cost of one drink. Therefore, the system of equations representing the purchases is:
- 3s + 2d = 9.50
- 4s + 2d = 12
By solving this system of equations, we can determine the value of 's' and 'd'. Once we have those values, we can then calculate the total cost for Jessica, who wants to buy 2 sandwiches and 3 drinks.
For example, using the subtraction method to eliminate 'd' from the equations, we subtract the first equation from the second:
- 4s + 2d - (3s + 2d) = 12 - 9.50
- s = 2.50
Now we know that one sandwich costs $2.50. We substitute 's' into one of the original equations to find 'd':
- 3(2.50) + 2d = 9.50
- 7.50 + 2d = 9.50
- 2d = 2
- d = 1
So one drink costs $1. Finally, we calculate the cost for Jessica:
- 2s + 3d = 2(2.50) + 3(1)
- = 5 + 3
- = $8
Therefore, Jessica will pay $8 for 2 sandwiches and 3 drinks.