Question

A fish market bought two swordfish at a rate of $13 per pound. the cost of the larger fish was 3 times as great as the cost of the smaller fish. the total cost of the two fish was $3952. How much did each fish weigh?

Answer 1

Let

x--------> the cost of the larger fish

y--------> the cost of the smaller fish

we know that

$x+y=\ 3,952$ -------> equation A

$x=3y$  -------> equation B

Step 1

Solve the system of linear equations

Substitute equation B in equation A

$3y+y=\ 3,952$

$4y=\ 3,952$

$y=\ 3,952/4$

$y=\ 988$

Find the value of x

$x=3*988=\ 2,964$

Step 2

Find the weigh of each fish

we know that

the rate is $13\frac{\ }{pound}$

To obtain the weigh of the fish divide the cost of the fish by the rate

Larger fish

$\frac{2,964}{13} =228\ pounds$

Smaller fish

$\frac{988}{13} =76\ pounds$

therefore

the answer is

The weigh of the larger fish was $228\ pounds$

The weigh of the smallerr fish was $76\ pounds$

Answer 2

Very simple. divide 3952 by 4, because the larger fish is 3 times the amount of the small fish, so there are 4 groups. Multiply it by 3 for the larger fish and keep it for the small fish.  Then, divide the products by 13 because the quotient is the amount of money each fish costs. There you have your answer!