Question

A man bought 2 pounds of coffee and 1 pound of butter for a total of $11.25. A month later, the prices had not changed (this makes it a fictitious problem), and he bought 3 pounds of coffee and 2 pounds of butter for $18.50. Find the price per pound of both the coffee and the butter.

Answer 1

Answer: See explanation

Explanation:

Let the price per pound of coffee be c

Let the price ce per pound of butter be b.

We can form an equation based on the information given and this will be:

2c + b = 11.25 ....... i

3c + 2b = 18.50 ....... ii

From equation i, b = 11.25 - 2c ..... iii

Put the value of b into equation ii.

3c + 2b = 18.50

3c + 2(11.25 - 2c) = 18.50

3c + 22.50 - 4c = 18.50

-c = 18.50 - 22.50

c = 4.00

A pound of coffee cost $4.00

Since b = 11.25 - 2c .

b = 11.25 - 2(4.00)

b = 11.25 - 8.00

b = 3.25

A pound of butter costs $3.25