Question

At an Italian bistro, the cost of 3 plates of spaghetti and 2 salads is $23.75. Thecost for 2 plates of spaghetti and 2 salads is $18.00. Write and solve a system ofequations to find the cost of 1 plate of spaghetti and 1 salad.

Answer 1

x = salad

y = spaghetti

2x + 3y = 23.75 (equation 1)

2x + 2y = 18.00 (equation 2)

We're gonna clear for x in both equations

x = (23.75 - 3y)/2 eq 1.

x= (18.00 -2y)/2 eq 2.

Now we can equal both equations

(23.75 - 3y)/2 = (18.00 -2y)/2 and we can cancell 2 in both sides

23.75 - 3y = 18.00 -2y

Now we reorganize

23.75 - 18.00 = -2y + 3y

5. 75 = y

Now with the value of y, we can replace it in any of the two original equations and then find the value of x

2x + 3(5. 75) = 23.75

2x = 23.75 - 17.25

x =6.5/2

x = 3. 25

1 plate of spaghetti cost $5.75

1 plate of salad cost $ 3.25