Question

2. The current cost of gourmet coffee is $14 per pound. At the corner market

the cost has increased 10% per year over the past several years.

Answer 1

The cost two years ago = $11.57

Explanation:

The rest of the question is

what did a pound of gourmet coffee beans cost two years ago?

So, let the cost two years ago = x

The cost has increased 10% per year

so, the cost one year ago = x + 10% of x = x + 0.1 x = 1.1 x

So, the current cost = 1.1 x + 10% of 1.1 x = 1.1 x + 0.1 * 1.1 x = 1.21 x

But given the current cost = $14

∴ 1.21 x = 14

∴ x = 14/1.21 = 11.57

So, the cost two years ago = $11.57