Answer:
The number of pounds of hamburger meat = x = 54 pounds.
The number of pounds of ground sirloin = y = 21 pounds
Explanation:
Let the number of pounds of hamburger meat = x
the number of pounds of ground sirloin = y
How many pounds of each did he use to make 75 pounds of meat mixture that will cost $3.24 per pound?
x + y = 75...... Equation 1
x = 75 - y
A meat distributor paid $2.75 per pound for hamburger and $4.50 per pound for ground sirloin.
$2.75 × x + $4.50 × y = 75 × $3.24
2.75x + 4.50y = 243
We substitute 75 - y for x
Hence,
2.75(75 - y) + 4.5y = 243
206.25 - 2.75y + 4.5 y = 243
Collect like terms
- 2.75y + 4.5 y = 243 - 206.25
1.75y = 36.75
y = 36.75/1.75
y = 21 pounds
Note
x = 75 - y
x = 75 - 21
x = 54 pounds
Therefore:
The number of pounds of hamburger meat = x = 54 pounds.
The number of pounds of ground sirloin = y = 21 pounds