Question

Ben is making a dessert that requires 2 1/2 lb of strawberries and 1 1/2 lb of blueberries. Strawberries cost $1 less per pound than blueberries. Ben spent a total of $9.50 on the fruit. What is the price per pound of each type of fruit?

Answer 1

2 dollars a pound for strawberries 3 dollars a pound for blueberries

Answer 2

Answer: Hello!

Ben needs 2.5 lb of strawberries and 1.5 lb of blueberries.

If S is the price per pound of strawberries and B is the price per pound of blueberries, we know that:

B - S = $1

2.5*S + 1.5*B = $9.50

In the first equation we can isolate B as B = $1 + S, and now can replace it in the second equation:

2.5*S + 1.5*B = $9.50

2.5*S + 1.5*($1 + S) =$9.50

2.5*S + 1.5*s + $1.50 = $9.50

4*S = $9.50 - $1.50 = $8

S = $8/4 = $2

now we can replace it in the first equation and get:

B - $2 = $1

B = $3

then the price per pound of strawberrys is $2 and for blueberrys is $3.