Question

A storeowner mixed 8 pounds of peanuts and 5 pounds of M&M's. This 13 pound mixture sold for $55.27. A second mixture included 6 pounds of peanuts and 4 pounds of M&M's. This 10 pound mixture sold for $42.70. Find the cost per pound of the peanuts and M&M's.

Answer 1

Let P be the cost per pound of peanuts. Let M be the cost per pound of M&M's. We can set up two equations to solve this question. (1) 8P + 5M = 55.27 (2) 6P + 4M = 42.70 Let's multiply equation (1) by 3. Let's multiply equation (2) by 4. (1) 24P + 15M = 165.81 (2) 24P + 16M = 170.80 Let's subtract equation (1) from equation (2). M = 4.99 Let's put M = 4.99 in equation (2) to find P. 6P + 4(4.99) = 42.70 6P = 42.70 - 19.96 6P = 22.74 P = 22.74 / 6 P = 3.79 The cost per pound of peanuts is $3.79 The cost per pound of M&M's is $4.99