Question

At a candy store, Layla bought 2 pounds of jelly beans and 4 pounds of gummy worms for $46. Meanwhile, Brittany bought 3 pounds of jelly beans and 2 pounds of gummy worms for $41. How much does the candy cost?

X= Y=

Answer 1

X = $9.00 for 1 pound of Jelly Beans

Y = $7.00 for 1 pound of Gummy Worms

Explanation:

Ok, to start we need to make up some notation. It looks like you've chosen X and Y as your variables which works for me.

First lets say X = cost of one pound of jelly beans and Y = cost of one pound of gummy worms

Now let's put together our equations

2X + 4Y = 46

3X + 2Y = 41

Now we need to solve for one of the variables using substitution or elimination. Since none of the variables are isolated, let's use elimination by multiplying the bottom equation by -2.

2X + 4Y = 46

-6X - 4Y = -82

___________

-4X + 0 = -36

-4X = -36

X = 9 or $9.00 per pound

Now we can plug that back into own of the equations and solve for Y

2(9) + 4Y = 46

18 + 4Y = 46

4Y = 28

Y = 7 or $7.00 per pound