Question 541055
Candy Mixtures - Someone wants to mix some candy that is worth 45 cents per pound. Some is worth 80 cents per pound to make 350 lb of a mixture worth 65 cents per pound. How much of each type of candy should be used?

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Suppose we mix x pounds of the 45¢ candy with y pounds of the 80¢ candy.
Then we have two equations, a candy equation and a money equation:

The candy equation comes from this:

         {{{(matrix(6,1,x, pounds, of, less, expensive, candy))}}} + {{{(matrix(6,1,y, pounds, of, more, expensive,candy))}}} = {{{(matrix(7,1,350, pounds, of, medium, priced, mixed, candy))}}}  


                          x + y = 350

The money equation comes from
    
         {{{(matrix(8,1,"45_cents", times, x,pounds, of, less, expensive, candy))}}} + {{{(matrix(8,1,"80_cents", times,y, pounds, of, more, expensive,candy))}}} = {{{(matrix(9,1,"60_cents", times,350, pounds, of, medium, priced, mixed, candy))}}}  

                        (45¢)x + (80¢)y = (60¢)(350)  or
                              45x + 80y = 21000

So solve this system of equations:

                         x +   y =   350
                       45x + 80y = 21000

(If you can't solve that system of equations, post again asking how)

Answer: Mix 200 pounds of the less expensive candy and 150 pounds of the cheaper candy.

Edwin</pre>