Q:

Nancy bought 7 pounds of oranges and 3 pounds of bananas for $17. Her husband later bought 3 pounds of oranges and 6 pounds of bananas for $12. What was the cost per pound of the oranges and the bananas?

Accepted Solution

A:
Answer:The price of oranges is US$ 2 per pound and the price of bananas is US$ 1 per pound.Step-by-step explanation:1. Bananas and oranges bought by Nancy:Oranges = 7 pounds Bananas = 3 poundsCost = US$ 172. Bananas and oranges bought by Nancy's husband:Oranges = 3 pounds or 3xBananas = 6 pounds or 6yCost = US$ 123x + 6y = 12 (Dividing by 3 at both sides of the equation)x + 2y = 4x = 4 - 2y3. Total Purchases:Oranges = 10 pounds or 10xBananas = 9 pounds or 9yCost = US$ 2910x + 9y = 2910 (4 - 2y) + 9y = 29 (Replacing x with 4 - 2y from 2nd purchase)40 - 20y +9y = 29-11y = 29 - 40- 11y = - 11 y = 1 (Dividing by -11 at both sides)Pound of bananas = US$ 110x + 9 (1) = 29 (Replacing y by 1 in the original formula)10x + 9 = 2910x = 20x = 2 (Dividing by 10 at both sides)Pound of oranges = US$ 2