Question

Help, please. I tried a bunch of different value but none of them matched up. Help if you can,thanks. :))) Andrew goes to the shop to buy some apples and bananas. He goes to purchase 5 apples and 4 bananas, and the total comes to £5.70. Unfortunately, he doesn’t have enough money, so he puts back 1 apple and 2 bananas. The new total is £3.60. What is the cost of 1 apple and the cost of 1 banana?

Answer 1

Applies are £0.50 each and bananas £0.80 each.

Explanation:

Represent the numbers of apples and bananas by a and b respectively.

Then:

5a + 4b = £5.70, and:

4a + 2b = £3.60

Let's solve this system using elimination by addition/subtraction. Multiply the 2nd equation by -2, obtaining the equivalent system

5a + 4b = £5.70

-8a - 4b = -£7.20

--------------------------

-3a = -£1.50

Dividing both sides by -3, we get £0.50. Apples are £0.50 apiece.

How much are bananas per piece? Use the first equation; substitute £0.50 for a:

5(£0.50) + 4b = £5.70, or

4b = £3.20. Then b = £0.80.

Applies are £0.50 each and bananas £0.80 each.