Cherries = $5 per pound Oranges = $2 per pound Total Cost = $18 Total weight = 6 lb
------------------------------------ Define x and y ------------------------------------ Let x be the number of lb of cherries Let y be the number of lb of oranges
------------------------------------ Construct equations ------------------------------------ x + y = 6 ---------------------------- (1) 5x + 2y = 18 ---------------------------- (2)
------------------------------------------------------------------------ Solve x and y ------------------------------------------------------------------------ From equation (1): x + y = 6 x = 6 - y
------------------------------------------------------------------------ Substitute y = 4 into equation (1) ------------------------------------------------------------------------ x + y = 6 x + 4 = 6 x = 2
------------------------------------------------------------------------ Find the weight of cherries and oranges ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Cherry = x = 2 lb Oranges = y = 4 lbs
------------------------------------------------------------------------ Answer: Alex bought 2 lb of cherries ------------------------------------------------------------------------
