Answer: The cost of each pound of jellybean is $2.5
The cost for each pound of trail mix is $1.5
Explanation:
Let the cost for each pound of jellybeans be x.
Let the cost of each pound of trail mix be y.
Based on the information given, we can form an equation which will be:
For 2 pounds of jellybeans and 12 pounds of trail mix, the total cost is $23. This will be:
2x + 12y = 23 ...... i
For 5 pounds of jellybeans and 3 pounds of trail mix, the total cost is $17. This will be:
5x + 3y = 17...... ii
2x + 12y = 23 ...... i
5x + 3y = 17...... ii
Multiply equation i by 5
Multiply equation ii by 2
10x + 60y = 115 ...... iii
10x + 6y = 34 ..... iv
Subtract iv from iii
54y = 81
y = 81/54
y = 1.5
The cost for each pound of trail mix is $1.5
From equation i
2x + 12y = 23
2x + 12(1.5) = 23
2x + 18 = 23
2x = 23 - 18
2x = 5
x = 5/2 = 2.5
The cost of each pound of jellybean is $2.5