document.write( "<A HREF=/cgi-bin/jump-to-question.mpl?question=1173117>Question 1173117</A>: <I><SPAN STYLE=\"word-break: break-all;\"> To prepare a fruit salad, Sandra buys 3 apples and 5 apricots.  The amount of his invoice is $ 3.25.<BR>\n" );
document.write( "Knowing that an apple costs 15 ¢ more than an apricot<BR>\n" );
document.write( "how much does each fruit cost </SPAN>\n" );
document.write( "</I><HR><TABLE width=100%><TR><TD><B><A HREF=http://www.algebra.com/>Algebra.Com's</A> Answer #798260 by </B><A HREF=/tutors/aboutme.mpl?userid=greenestamps><B>greenestamps(13198)</B></A><img src=\"/images/stars/stars-13.gif\" alt=\"\" >&nbsp;<A HREF=/tutors/aboutme.mpl?userid=greenestamps><IMG SRC=http://www.algebra.com/images/aboutme-small.gif BORDER=0 alt=\"About Me\" VALIGN=MIDDLE></A>&nbsp;<IMG SRC=http://www.algebra.com/cgi-bin/show-face.mpl?user=greenestamps><BR>You can <A HREF=\"/cgi-bin/embed-solution.mpl?show=1&solution=798260\">put this solution on YOUR website!</A><BR><SPAN STYLE=\"word-break: break-all;\"> <br><BR>\n" );
document.write( "(1) with formal algebra....<br><BR>\n" );
document.write( "x = cost of each apricot (cents)<BR>\n" );
document.write( "x+15 = cost of each apple<br><BR>\n" );
document.write( "The total cost of 3 apples and 5 apricots is $3.25, or 325 cents:<br><BR>\n" );
document.write( "<IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=3%28x%2B15%29%2B5%28x%29+=+325 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"3%28x%2B15%29%2B5%28x%29+=+325\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" ><br><BR>\n" );
document.write( "Solve using basic algebra....<br><BR>\n" );
document.write( "(2) Informally....<br><BR>\n" );
document.write( "Pay the \"extra\" 15 cents for each of the 3 apples; the remaining cost is $3.25 minus 3 times 15 cents: $3.25-3($0.15) = $2.80.<BR>\n" );
document.write( "The remaining cost of all 8 fruits is now the same: $2.80/8 = $0.35.<BR>\n" );
document.write( "So the cost of each apricot is 35 cents; the cost of each apple is 35+15 = 50 cents.<br><BR>\n" );
document.write( "CHECK: 3($0.50)+5($0.35) = $1.50+$1.75 = $3.25<br><BR>\n" );
document.write( "Even if a formal algebraic solution is needed, solving the problem using logical reasoning and mental arithmetic is good brain exercise.<br><BR>\n" );
document.write( " </SPAN>\n" );
document.write( "</TD></TR></TABLE>\n" );