Question

one week Beth Bought three apples and eight pears for $14.50. The next week she bought 6 apples and four pears and paid $14. Find the cost of one apple and the cost of one pear

Answer 1

3a+8p=14.5
6a+4p=14

divide second equation by 2
3a+2p=7
times -1 and add to first equatlon

3a+8p=14.5
-3a-2p=-7 +
0a+6p=7.5

6p=7.5
divide both sides by 6
p=1.25

now sub
3a+2p=7
3a+2(1.25)=7
3a+2.5=7
minus 2.5 from both sides
3a=4.5
divide both sides by 3
a=1.5

1 apple=$1.50
1 peare=$1.25