Question

The total price of four oranges and five pears is $32 while the total price of three oranges and two pears is $17. How much is a pear?

Answer 1

Answer:

A pear is 3.4

Step-by-step explanation:

Answer 2

Answer: A pear cost $4.

Step-by-step explanation:

If the total price of four oranges and five pears is $32 then we could represent it by the equation  4x + 5y = 32   where x is cost of one orange and y is the cost of one pear.

The same way we could represent the second statement by the equation

3x + 2y = 17      

We know have the two systems of equations:

4x + 5y = 32

3x + 2y = 17         Solve using the elimination method

  Multiply the top equation by -3 and the down equation by 4 to eliminate x.

-3(4x + 5y) = -3(32) =  -12x - 15y = -96

 4(3x +2y) = 4(17)  =   12x + 8y = 68    

We now have the two new equations:

-12x -15y = -96      Add both equations

12x + 8y = 68            

      - 7y = -28

     y= 4    

Which means the cost of one pear is $4.