Question

Write a system of equations to describe the situation below, solve using substitution, and fill in the blanks.Vince is comparing the cost of a fresh lobster dinner at two different restaurants. The first restaurant charges $51 for the meal, plus $5 per kilogram for the lobster he picks. At the second restaurant, Vince would pay $8 per kilogram for the lobster, in addition to $33 for the meal. Vince realizes that, in theory, dinner at both restaurants could cost the same amount if the lobster had a certain weight. How much would Vince pay for his dinner? What is the weight?Dinner would cost $ at either restaurant if Vince's lobster weighed kilograms.

Answer 1

Based on the given situation, if x is number of kilograms of lobster, you can write the following expressions:

51 + 5x cost in the first restaurant

33 + 8x cost in the second restaurant

In order to determine the value of x which makes the cost the same in both restaurants, equal the previous expressions and solve for x:

51 + 5x = 33 + 8x subtract 33 both sides and 5x subtract both sides

51 - 33 = 8x - 5x simplify

18 = 3x divide by 3 both sides

18/3 = x

6 = x

x = 6

Hence, the weight of the lobster is 6 kg.

The cost of the dinner is:

51 + 5(6) = 51 + 30 = 81

Hence, the cost of the dinner is $81