Question

Sally paid $1.50 for 2 1/2 pounds of apples at the Grocery Mart. Fred paid $1.95 for 3 pounds of apples at the Corner Fruit Stand.

Part A Who paid less money per pound for their apples, Sally or Fred? Show the computations to find each unit rate.
Part B John went to the Grocery Mart and purchased 5 1/2 pounds of apples. How much, in dollars, did John pay for the apples? Show or explain your work.
Part C Write an equation that can be used to compute the total cost, in dollars (y), to purchase any total weight, in pounds (x), of apples at the Corner Fruit Stand.

Answer 1

Part A: Sally paid less money per pound than Fred did

Part B: John paid $3.58 for 5.5 pounds of apples at the Grocery Mart

Part C: y = 0.65x

Explanation:

Part A:

Sally: 1.5/2.5 = x/1

cross multiply: 2.5x = 1.5*1

simplify: 2.5x = 1.5

divide both sides by 2.5: x = 0.6

Fred: 1.95/3 = x/1

cross multiply: 3x = 1.95*1

simplify: 3x = 1.95

divide both sides by 3: x = 0.65

Fred paid 65¢/pound while Sally paid 60¢/pound

Part B:

price/pound*amount John bought: 0.65/1 = x/5.5

cross multiply: 1x = 0.65*5.5

simplify: x = 3.575

Part C:

y = 0.65x