Question

Maria spent $12.50 at the post office. She bought 3 times as many 41-cent stamps as 2-cent stamps. How many of each did she buy?

a. 10 of 2-cent stamps, 30 of 41-cent stamps
b. 15 of 2-cent stamps, 45 of 41-cent stamps
c. 20 of 2-cent stamps, 60 of 41-cent stamps
d. 25 of 2-cent stamps, 75 of 41-cent stamps

Answer 1

Maria bought 10 of the 2-cent stamps and 30 of the 41-cent stamps. So the correct answer is option a. 10 of 2-cent stamps, 30 of 41-cent stamps.

Step-by-step explanation:

To solve this problem, we can set up a system of equations.

Let x be the number of 2-cent stamps that Maria bought.

Since she bought 3 times as many 41-cent stamps as 2-cent stamps, the number of 41-cent stamps is 3x.

The cost of the 2-cent stamps is 2x cents and the cost of the 41-cent stamps is 41(3x) cents.

The total cost is $12.50, which is equal to 1250 cents.

So we have the equation: 2x + 41(3x) = 1250

Simplifying the equation, we get: 2x + 123x = 1250

Combining like terms, we get: 125x = 1250

Dividing both sides by 125, we get: x = 10

Therefore, Maria bought 10 of the 2-cent stamps and 3(10) = 30 of the 41-cent stamps.

So the correct answer is option a. 10 of 2-cent stamps, 30 of 41-cent stamps.