Question

Danielle and Esther are selling fruit for a fundraiser. Danielle sold 3 boxes of apples and 2 boxes of oranges for $44.50. Esther sold 5 boxes of apples and 4 boxes of oranges for $81.50. How much did a box of oranges cost?

Answer 1

Let x be the cost of a box of apples and y be the cost of a box of oranges.

Danielle : 3x + 2y = 44.5

Esther: 5x + 4y = 81.5

3x + 2y = 44.5 --- 1

5x + 4y = 81.5 --- 2

6x + 4y = 89 --- 3

From 2 and 3, we have:

x = 7.5

Subsitute x = 7.5 into 1

3(7.5) + 2y = 44.5

2y = 22

y = 11

Therefore, a box of oranges costs 11 dollars