<h2>Explanation:</h2>
Here we have to solve a system of linear equations in three variables. Let:
x: Cost of pens
y: Cost of pencils
We know that:
- Bailey buys 2 pens and 6 pencils and spends a total of $7.00. So:
- Jeremiah buys 3 pens and 5 pencils and spends a total of $7.50. So:
Multiplying eq1 by 3 and eq 2 by -2:
Then adding these two resultant equations:
How much will Maggie spend to purchase 4 pens?
Each pen costs $1.24, so 4 pens will cost: