Final answer:
Bridgette bought 3 rainbow stickers and 3 balloon stickers for a total of 12 cents, which can be determined by solving the system of linear equations based on the price per sticker and the total amount spent.
Step-by-step explanation:
Bridgette bought 6 stickers in total, comprising rainbow stickers at 1 cent each and balloon stickers at 3 cents each. To find out the number of each type she bought, we can set up two equations based on the given information. Let's denote the number of rainbow stickers as R and the number of balloon stickers as B.
- Since Bridgette bought a total of 6 stickers, we have the equation: R + B = 6.
- Considering the total cost which is 12 cents, we can also set up the equation for the cost of the stickers: 1R + 3B = 12 (as rainbow stickers cost 1 cent and balloon stickers cost 3 cents each).
We now have a system of linear equations:
- R + B = 6
- 1R + 3B = 12
Solving this system, we subtract the first equation from the second, obtaining: 2B = 6. Dividing both sides by 2, we get B = 3, which means Bridgette bought 3 balloon stickers. Using the first equation and substituting B with 3, we have R + 3 = 6, from which we can find R = 6 - 3 = 3. Therefore, Bridgette bought 3 rainbow stickers.
In summary, Bridgette purchased 3 rainbow stickers and 3 balloon stickers for a total cost of 12 cents.