Suppose you got 8 mangoes and 3 apples for $18 and 3 mangoes and 5 apples for $14.50. How much does each mango and each apple cost?

Question

Suppose you got 8 mangoes and 3 apples for $18 and 3 mangoes and 5 apples for $14.50. How much does each mango and each apple cost?

Answer 1

8m+3a=18

3m+5a=14.5

multiply the first equation by 5 and multiply the second equation by 3

40m+15a=90

9m+15a=43.5

subtract the equations

31m=46.5

m=46.5/31

m=1.5

substitute to find the price of apples

8(1.5)+3a=18

12+3a=18

3a=18-12

3a=6

a=2

apples cost $2.00 each

mangoes cost $1.50 each