Question

Myers balloons cost $1.25 each, and latex balloons cost $0.75 each. What equations can be used to find the number of each of balloon in a bunch of 18 balloons that costs $19?

Answer 1

We can use the equations m + n = 18 and 1.25m + 0.75n = 19 to find number of each balloon for Myer

SOLUTION:

Given, Myers balloons cost $1.25 each, and latex balloons cost $0.75 each.  We have to find what equations can be used to find the number of each of balloon in a bunch of 18 balloons that costs $19?  

Let number of myers balloons be m, and number of latex balloons be n.

Then m + n = 18 ⇒ (1)

And according to given information,  

$1.25 x number of myers ballons + $0.75 x number of latex balloons = $19

⇒ 1.25m + 0.75n = 19 ⇒ (2)

Hence, we can use the equations m + n = 18 and 1.25m + 0.75n = 19 to find number of each balloon.

Now, (1) ⇒ m = 18 – n. substitute these values in (2)

(2) ⇒ 1.25(18 – n) + 0.75n = 19  

22.5 – 1.25n + 0.75n = 19  

1.25n – 0.75n = 22.5 – 19  

0.5n = 3.5  

n = 7  

Then, m = 18 – 7 ⇒ m = 11.

So, 11 myers balloons and 7 latex balloons.