Answer:
Therefore, Alex buys 20 cans of corn.
Explanation:
Let's assume Alex buys x cans of tomatoes and y cans of corn.
Given that he buys 36 cans in total, we can write the equation:
x + y = 36 ----(1)
The cost of tomatoes per can is 80 cents, and the cost of corn per can is 40 cents. The total cost is $20.8, which can be expressed as 2080 cents.
The cost of the tomatoes (80 cents per can) multiplied by the number of tomato cans (x) gives the cost of tomatoes, and the cost of corn (40 cents per can) multiplied by the number of corn cans (y) gives the cost of corn. The sum of these costs should equal 2080 cents.
80x + 40y = 2080 ----(2)
Now we have a system of equations (equations (1) and (2)) that we can solve to find the values of x and y.
To solve the system, we can use substitution or elimination. Let's use the substitution method here.
From equation (1), we have:
x = 36 - y
Substituting this value of x into equation (2), we get:
80(36 - y) + 40y = 2080
Expanding and simplifying:
2880 - 80y + 40y = 2080
2880 - 40y = 2080
-40y = 2080 - 2880
-40y = -800
y = (-800) / (-40)
y = 20
Therefore, Alex buys 20 cans of corn.