SOLUTION: A man bought 2 pounds of coffee and 1 pound of butter for a total of $11.25. A month later, the prices had not changed (this makes it a fictitious problem), and he bought 5 pounds

Algebra ->  Coordinate Systems and Linear Equations  -> Linear Equations and Systems Word Problems -> SOLUTION: A man bought 2 pounds of coffee and 1 pound of butter for a total of $11.25. A month later, the prices had not changed (this makes it a fictitious problem), and he bought 5 pounds       Log On


   

Question 888601: A man bought 2 pounds of coffee and 1 pound of butter for a total of $11.25. A month later, the prices had not changed (this makes it a fictitious problem), and he bought 5 pounds of coffee and 2 pounds of butter for $26.50. Find the price per pound of both the coffee and the butter.
Found 2 solutions by lwsshak3, harpazo:
Answer by lwsshak3(11628) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
A man bought 2 pounds of coffee and 1 pound of butter for a total of $11.25. A month later, the prices had not changed (this makes it a fictitious problem), and he bought 5 pounds of coffee and 2 pounds of butter for $26.50. Find the price per pound of both the coffee and the butter.
***
let x=price/lb of coffee
let y=price/lb of butter
..
2x+y=11.25
5x+2y=26.50
..
4x+2y=22.50(mult. 1st eq by 2)
5x+2y=26.50
subtract
x=4
y=11.25-2x=3.25
price/lb of coffee=$4.00
price/lb of butter=$3.25

Answer by harpazo(655) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Let c = coffee
Let b = butter

I will set up the system of linear equations in two variables.
Use the substitution method to find your answer.
2c + b = 11.25
5c + 2b = 26.50

You take it from here.