Answer:
walnuts cost $2.50 per pound, chocolate chips cost $1.50 per pound
Explanation:
let w be the cost of 1 pound of walnuts
and c be the cost of 1 pound of chocolate chips
then
2w + 12c = 23 → (1)
5w + 3c = 17 → (2)
multiplying (2) by - 4 and adding to (1) will eliminate c
- 20w - 12c = - 68 → (3)
add (1) and (3) term by term to eliminate c
(2w - 20w) + (12c - 12c) = 23 - 68
- 18w + 0 = - 45
- 18w = - 45 ( divide both sides by - 18 )
w = 2.5
substitute w = 2.5 into either of the 2 equations and solve for c
substituting into (1)
2(2.5) + 12c = 23
5 + 12c = 23 ( subtract 5 from both sides )
12c = 18 ( divide both sides by 12 )
c = 1.5
then
cost of 1 pound of walnuts is $2.50
cost of 1 pound of chocolate chips is $1.50