The cost of 5 squash and 2 zucchini is $1.32. Three squash and 1 zucchini cost $0.75. Find the cost of each vegetable

Question

The cost of 5 squash and 2 zucchini is $1.32. Three squash and 1 zucchini cost $0.75. Find the cost of each vegetable

Answer 1

This is a systems of equations problem.

 

We first need to define a couple of variables.  Let s = the cost of 1 squash and z = the cost of 1 zucchini.

 

Now lets translate the words into algebra:

 

"The cost of 5 squash and 2 zucchini is $1.32"  ===>  5s  +  2z  =  1.32

 

"Three squash and 1 zucchini cost $0.75"  ===>   3s  +  z  =  0.75

 

There are several ways to solve systems of equations.  Let's use substitution.  We can find what z equals in terms of s by manipulating the second equation:

 

  3s  +   z   =   0.75

 -3s                 -3s

 ------------     -------------

            z    =  -3s  +0.75

 

Now lets substitute (-3s + 0.75) into the first equation for z, then solve for s:

 

  5s + 2(-3s + 0.75) = 1.32

 

Can you handle it from here?

 

(Hint: Once you have solved for s, you can substitute that value back into either of the equations and solve for z.)