Question

A store is having a sale on jellybeans and trail mix. For 8 pounds of jellybeans and 3 pounds of trail mix the total cost $34. For 2 pounds of jellybeans and 5 pounds of trail mix the total cost is $17. Find the cost of each pound of jellybeans and each pound of trail mix.

Answer 1

Cost of jellybeans = x = $3.5

Cost of trail mix = y = $2

Explanation:

Let

Cost of jellybeans = x

Cost of trail mix = y

8x + 3y = 34 (1)

2x + 5y = 17 (2)

Multiply (1) by 5 and (2) by 3

40x + 15y = 170 (3)

6x + 15y = 51 (4)

Subtract (4) from (3)

40x - 6x = 170 - 51

34x = 119

x = 119/34

x = 3.5

Substitute x = 3.5 into (1)

8x + 3y = 34

8(3.5) + 3y = 34

28 + 3y = 34

3y = 34 - 28

3y = 6

y = 6/3

y = 2

Cost of jellybeans = x = $3.5

Cost of trail mix = y = $2