Question

The concession stand at the local high school sells pretzels and lemonade. The total cost of two pretzels and a lemonade is $5.75. The total cost of two lemonades is $0.25 more than the cost of a pretzel. What is the cost of a pretzel?

Answer 1

$2.25

Explanation:

>givens:

2 pretzels + 1 lemonade = $5.75

2 lemonades = 1 pretzel + $0.25

>find from the first equation how much is 1 lemonade

2 pretzels + 1 lemonade = $5.75, subtract 2 pretzels from both sides

1 lemonade = 5.75 -2 pretzels

>substitute in the second equation 2 lemonades with 2(5.75-2 pretzels)

2 lemonades = 1 pretzel + $0.25

2(5.75-2 pretzels) = 1 pretzel + $0.25, distribute 2 in parentheses

11.5 -4 pretzels = 1 pretzel +0.25, isolate like terms

11.5-0.25 = 1+4 pretzels, combine like terms

11.25 = 5 pretzels, divide both sides by 5

1 pretzel = $2.25

*you can use the letter "p" for pretzel and "l" for lemonade to make the equations more concise