Question

You spend $3.50 on fruit. Apples cost $0.20 each while oranges cost $0.30 each. The equation models the situation, where x is the number of apples and y is the number of oranges. Which of the following is not a possible solution in the context of the problem?

a. 1 apple; 11 oranges
b. 11 apples; 1 orange
c. 7 apples; 7 oranges
d. 4 apples; 9 oranges

Answer 1

b. 11 apples; 1 orange

Explanation:

We test each option, and see if the total is $3.50(what you spend). If the result is different, it is not a possible solution.

a. 1 apple; 11 oranges

1 apple for $0.20

11 oranges for $0.30 each

0.20 + 11*0.30 = $3.50

Possible solution

b. 11 apples; 1 orange

11 apples for $0.20 each

1 orange for $0.30

11*0.2 + 0.3 = 2.5

Not $3.5, so this is not a possible solution.

This is the answer

c. 7 apples; 7 oranges

7*0.2 + 7*0.3 = $3.5

Possible

d. 4 apples; 9 oranges

4*0.2 + 9*0.3 = $3.5

Possible