Question

Cherries $5 per pound and oranges per pound$2. He paid 18.00 for total weight which was 6 lbs how many pounds of cherries did Alex buy

Answer 1

Answer: 2 lbs of cherries

Cherries = $5 per pound
Oranges = $2 per pound
Total Cost = $18
Total weight = 6 lb

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Define x and y
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Let x be the number of lb of cherries
Let y be the number of lb of oranges

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Construct equations
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x + y = 6               ---------------------------- (1)
5x + 2y = 18         ---------------------------- (2)

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Solve x and y
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From equation (1):
x + y = 6 
x = 6 - y 

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Substitute x = 6 - y into equation 2
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5x + 2y = 18
5 (6 - y) + 2y = 18
30 - 5y + 2y = 18
3y = 30 - 18
3y = 12
y = 4

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Substitute y = 4 into equation (1)
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x + y = 6
x + 4 = 6
x = 2

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Find the weight of cherries and oranges
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Cherry = x = 2 lb
Oranges = y = 4 lbs 

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Answer: Alex bought 2 lb of cherries
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