Question

Marlene went shopping and bought a bunch of candy for her swim team. She bought packs of Skittles for $1.50 each and packs of M&Ms for $2 each. She spent a total of $39 and bought 24 items. How many of each item did she buy?

Answer 1

18 Skittles

6 M&Ms

Explanation:

Set up an equation:

Variable x = number of skittles

Variable y = number of M&Ms

1.50x + 2y = 39

x + y = 24

In the second equation, isolate a variable:

x = 24 - y

Substitute the value of x for 24 - y in the first equation:

1.50(24 - y) + 2y = 39

Use distributive property

36 - 1.5y + 2y = 39

Combine like terms

36 + 0.5y = 39

Isolate variable y:

0.5y = 3

y = 6

Substitute the value of y for 6 in the second equation:

x + 6 = 24

Isolate variable x:

x = 18

Plug these values into any equation of your choice to see if these values are correct (I'll do both equations just to prove it):

1.50(18) + 2(6) = 39

27 + 12 = 39

39 = 39

Correct

x + y = 24

18 + 6 = 24

24 = 24

Correct