Question 101072
Six pears and three apples cost $3.90. Two pears and five apples cost $3.30. How much does one pear cost? Hint: You have two unknowns (variables), so you need two equations. Write one equation for each situation and solve the system of equations. 
Let p = the cost of one pear 
Let a = the cost of one apple 
a. Write a system of equations that can be used to determine the cost of pears and apples.
6p + 3a = 3.90
2p + 5a = 3.30
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Multiply the 2nd equation by 3 to get:
6p + 15a = 9.90
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Subtract the 1st from this last to get:
12a = 6
a = 0.50 (cost of one apple)
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Substitute that into 6p + 3a = 3.90
6p + 3*0.5 = 3.90
6p + 1.5 = 3.90
6p = 2.40
p = 0.60 (price of one pear)
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Cheers,
Stan H. 
b. Determine the cost of one pear and one apple.