SOLUTION: Six pears and three apples cost $3.90. Two pears and five apples cost $3.30. How much does one pear cost? Hint: You have two unknowns (variables), so you need two equations. Wr

Algebra ->  Sequences-and-series -> SOLUTION: Six pears and three apples cost $3.90. Two pears and five apples cost $3.30. How much does one pear cost? Hint: You have two unknowns (variables), so you need two equations. Wr      Log On


   

Question 66564: Six pears and three apples cost $3.90. Two pears and five apples cost $3.30. How much does one pear cost?
Hint: You have two unknowns (variables), so you need two equations. Write one equation for each situation and solve the system of equations.

Answer by stanbon(75887) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Six pears and three apples cost $3.90. Two pears and five apples cost $3.30. How much does one pear cost?
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Let "p" be number of pears and "a" be number of apples
EQUATIONS:
1st: 6p+3a=3.90
2nd: 2p+5a=3.30
Multiply 2nd by 3 to get:
3rd: 6p+15a=9.90
Subtract 1st from 3rd to get:
4th: 12a=6
a=1/2 (apples cost 50 cents)
Substitute this value of a into 1st or into 2nd to solve for p:
2p+5(1/2)=3.3
2p+2.5=3.3
2p=0.8
p=0.4 (peaches cost 40 cents)
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Cheers,
Stan H.