Answer:
<u>$4</u> is spent on a big pail and <u>$2</u> is spent on a small pail.
Step-by-step explanation:
Given:
10$ is spent on 2 big pails and 1 small one.
A small pail cost half as much as each big one.
Now, to find the amount spent on a big pail and on a small pail.
Let the cost of a big pail be 
And the cost of small pail be 
As given, there are 2 big pails.
And the total money spent = $10.
According to question:




<em>Multiplying both sides by 2 we get:</em>

<em>Dividing both sides by 5 we get:</em>

<em>The cost of a big pail</em> = $4.
<em>So, the cost of a small pail</em> = 
Therefore, $4 is spent on a big pail and $2 is spent on a small pail.