Question

Diana decided she needed some new friends to play with. She understood that fish were not fun to hang out with, so she bought 3 baby mice and 2 baby pythons for a total cost of $103.50. Mr. Reyes also thought this was a great idea. He bought 3 baby mice and 3 baby pythons for a price of $148.50. Find the price of the mouse and the price of the python.

Answer 1

Baby python: $45

Baby mouse: $4.5

Explanation:

First of all, 3 baby mice and 2 baby pythons cost $103.50. When Mr. Reyes adds a baby python (He bought 3 baby mice and 3 baby pythons for a price of $148.50.) To find the price of a baby snake, you need to subtract both prices. 148.5-103.5=45, so a baby snake costs $45. Now we need to find the price of the baby mice, so we need to remove the snakes. 45*2=90. (2 snakes). 103.5-90=13.5, and 13.5/3=4.5, so a baby mouse costs $4.5.

Thanks

Answer 2

Explanation:

Let m be the price of 1 baby mice

Let p be the price of 1 baby python

Given,

`3m + 2p = 103.50`

as equation 1.

and

`3m + 3p = 148.50`

as equation 2

From here we can easily use elimination method

for solving simultaneous equations.

Use Equation 1 - equation 2 to eliminate m to find p.

`(3m - 3m) + (2p - 3p) = 103.50 - 148.50 \\ - p = - 45 \\ p = 45`

Substitute p into equation 1.

`3m + 2(45) = 103.50 \\ 3m + 90 = 103.50 \\ 3m = 103.50 - 90 \\ 3m = 13.50 \\ m = 13.50 / 3 \\ = 4.50`

therefore 1 baby mice cost $4.50 and 1 baby python costs $45.