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Alex bought some cherries at $5 per pound and some oranges at $2 per pound. If he paid $18 for the cherries and oranges combined, and if the total weight of the cherries and oranges was 6 pounds, how many pounds of cherries did Alex buy?

math algebra
 Aug 13, 2014

Best Answer 

 #1
avatar+128089 
+10

Let x be the weight of the cherries

Then (6-x) must be the weight of the oranges...since, together, they weigh 6 lbs.

So we have.....

(The weight of the cherries times their cost per pound) + (the weight of the oranges times their cost per pound) = (the total cost)     ....or......mathematically.....

x(5) + (6-x)(2) = 18   ....simplifyting, we get

5x + 12 - 2x  = 18       ......simplify again

3x + 12 = 18                ....subtract 12 from both sides

3x = 6      

x = 2 lbs. of cherries

 

 Aug 13, 2014
 #1
avatar+128089 
+10
Best Answer

Let x be the weight of the cherries

Then (6-x) must be the weight of the oranges...since, together, they weigh 6 lbs.

So we have.....

(The weight of the cherries times their cost per pound) + (the weight of the oranges times their cost per pound) = (the total cost)     ....or......mathematically.....

x(5) + (6-x)(2) = 18   ....simplifyting, we get

5x + 12 - 2x  = 18       ......simplify again

3x + 12 = 18                ....subtract 12 from both sides

3x = 6      

x = 2 lbs. of cherries

 

CPhill Aug 13, 2014

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