<PRE><B>Question 69522</B>
four oranges and five apples cost $3.56. Three oranges and four apples cost $2.76. Fine the cost of an orange and an apple.
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Let # of oranges be x and # of apples be y.
Value EQUATION: 4x+5y=3.56
Value EQUATION: 3x+4y=2.76
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Multiply 1st by 3 to get:
12x+15y=10.68
Multiply 2nd by 4 to get:
12x+16y=11.04
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Subtract 1st from 2nd to get:
y=0.36 (cost of an apple is 36 cents)
Substitute to solve for x:
4x+5(0.36)=3.56
4x+1.8=3.56
4x=1.76
x=0.44 (cost of an orange os 44 cents)
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Cheers,
Stan H.</PRE>