Question

Candy selling at $6.00 per pound will be mixed with candy selling at $9.00 per pound. How many pounds of the more expensive candy are needed to produce a 15-pound mixture that sells for $7.00 per pound?

Answer 1

Given:
x = candy selling at 6 per pound
y = candy selling at 9 per pound

x + y = 15

6x + 9y = 15(7)
6x + 9y = 105

x = 15 - y

6(15-y) + 9y = 105
90 - 6y + 9y = 105
3y = 105 - 90
3y = 15
3y/3 = 15/3
y = 5

There should be 5 pounds of more expensive candy.

x = 15 - y
x = 15 - 5
x =10

There should be 10 pounds of less expensive candy.