Question 77960

Let x= amount of $5 per lb candy
Then 40-x=amount of $2 per lb candy

Now we know that the value of $5 candy (5x) plus the value of the $2 candy (2(40-x)) equals the value of the final mixture $3(40).  So our equation to solve is:

5x+2(40-x)=3(40) get rid of parens

5x+80-2x=120  subtract 80 from both sides

5x+80-80-2x=120-80 collect like terms

3x=40 divide both sides by 3

x=13.3333 lb----------------------------------amount of $5 per lb candy

40-x=40-13.3333=26.6667 lb----------------------amount of $2 candy

Check

13.3333($5)+26.6667($2)=$3(40)

66.6665+53.3333=120
~120=120

Hope this helps----ptaylor