Answer:
the price of one pound of trail mix is $3
the price of one pound of jelly beans is $2.5
Step-by-step explanation :
let t be the price of one pound of trail mix.
and b be the price of one pound of jelly beans.
This statement:
“For 3 pounds of trail mix and 8 pounds of jelly beans,
the total cost is $29”
Can be translated mathematically like this :
3t + 8b = 29
This statement:
“For 5 pounds of trail mix and 2 pounds of jelly beans,
the total cost is $20”
Can be translated mathematically like this :
5t + 2b = 20
We obtain a system of two equations :
3t + 8b = 29
5t + 2b = 20
Solving the system:
3t + 8b = 29 (equation 1)
5t + 2b = 20. (equation 2)
3t + 8b = 29
20t + 8b = 80 [4×(equation 2)]
3t + 8b = 29
17t = 51 [4×(equation 2) - equation 1]
3t + 8b = 29
t = 51/17 = 3
9 + 8b = 29
t = 3
8b = 20
t = 3
b = 20/8 = 5/2
t = 3
b = 5/2
t = 3
Therefore ,the solution to our system is (3 , 2.5)