Question

Jim bought 6 pears and one pineapple for $8.50

total. He paid $4.90 for the pears. How much did he pay for the pineapple?

Answer 1

Set variables for the quantities we want to find.

Let x = number of apples

Let y = number of oranges

Next, we use these variables to write equations that describes the whole story.

Since the total price is $7.75 and each type of fruit has their own price, we can say

0.40x + 0.35y = 7.55

The other equation will represent the total number of fruits bought all together, as Mark mentioned. Once you have those equations, you solve the system using substitution and elimination methods to solve for the variables x and y.

Answer 2

a = 3.60

Explanation:

p = pears

a = pineapple

6p+1a = 8.50

6p = 4.90

Substitute this into the first equation

4.90 +a = 8.50

Subtract 4.90 from each side

a = 8.50 -4.90

a = 3.60