Question 178493
Let {{{a}}}= the cost of 1 orange in cents
Let {{{b}}}= the cost of 1 apple in cents
Given:
(1) {{{12a + 7b = 536}}}
(2) {{{8a + 5b = 368}}}
Multiply both sides of (1) by {{{5}}}
Multiply both sides of (2) by {{{7}}}
Then subtract (2) from (1)
(1) {{{60a + 35b = 2680}}}
(2) {{{-56a - 35b = -2576}}}
{{{4a = 104}}}
{{{a = 26}}}
The cost of each orange is $.26
check:
{{{312 + 7a = 536}}}
{{{208 + 5a = 368}}}
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{{{7a = 224}}}
{{{a = 32}}}
{{{5a = 160}}}
{{{a = 32}}}
OK