Question

During a sale at the market, steaks sold for $5 and watermelons sold for $4.50. Jan spent $47 and bought a total of 10 steaks and watermelons. How many of each did she buy?

Answer 1

Jan bought 4 steaks and 6 watermelons.

Explanation:

let the number of steaks sold be x

let the number of watermelons sold be y

the following information were given:

x + y = 10 - - - - (1) ( bought a total of 10 steaks and watermelons.)

5(x) + 4.5(y) = 47 - - - - - (2) (Jan spent $47)

let us solve for x and y as follows:

x + y = 10 - - - - (1)

x = 10 - y - - - - (3)

putting the value of x in equation (3) to replace x in equation (2)

5(x) + 4.5(y) = 47 - - - - - (2)

5(10 - y) + 4.5(y) = 47

50 - 5y + 4.5y = 47

50 - 0.5y = 47

50 - 47 = 0.5y

3 = 0.5y

∴ y = 3 ÷ 0.5 = 6

since we know the value of y, the value of x is solved using equation 3 as follows:

x = 10 - y - - - - - (3)

x = 10 - 6 = 4

Therefore, Jan bought 4 steaks and 6 watermelons.