Question

In a certain candy store, 3 pounds of candy and 2 pounds of mints cost $10.80, and 1 pound of candy and 3 pounds of mints cost $5.35. What is the cost per pound of the mints?

Answer 1

Let x be the cost of candy per pound and y be the cost of mint per pound.

`\left \{ {{3x + 2y = 10.80} \atop {{x + 3y = 5.35}} \right.`

Rewrite the second equation for substitution:

x = 5.35 - 3y

Substitute the equation above into the first equation:

3(5.35 - 3y) + 2y = 10.80

16.05 - 9y + 2y = 10.80

-7y = -5.25

7y = 5.25

y = 0.75

∴ The price of mint per pound is $0.75.

Answer 2

Explanation:

we will set up two equations:

let c be candy

let m be mints

3c+2m=10.80

c+3m=5.35, c=5.35-3m

3(5.35-3m)+2p=10.80

c=3.10

m=0.75