Question

Last month, Oscar bought 3 pounds of

cashews and 2 pounds of almonds for a


total of $31. This month, Oscar bought


2 pounds of cashews and 4 pounds of


almonds for a total of $34. What is the


price per pound of each type of nut?

Answer 1

cashew - a

almond - b

3a + 2b = 31. 1st eq

2a + 4b = 34. 2nd eq

multiply eq 1 by 2 and eq 2 by 3

and subtract 2 from 1

6a + 4b = 62

6a + 12b = 102

-8b = 62 - 102

b = 5

sub b in eq 1

3a + 2×5 = 31

3a = 31 - 10

a = 21/3

a = 7

Cashew = 7

almond = 5