Word Problems

Question

A bakery makes a $4 profit for each pie it sells. It makes a $7 profit for each cake it sells. The expression 4p + 7c represents the profit for selling p pies and c cakes. What is the profit earned when the bakery sells 11 pies and 7 cakes?

Answer 1

The formula is correctly stated in the problem: P = 4p+11c, and you are also given values for p and c, so I encourage you to run with this information!  Plug and chug, as they say, i.e. SUBSTITUTE numbers for p & c & CALCULATE! Answer is in $.

Answer 2

It is very important to understand how important units are in this equation:

     For each item,   Dollars = (dollars per item) * (number of items)

 

So,

   Total Profit   =    Profit for pies              +               Profit for cakes

   Total Profit   =  ($4 per pie)*(p pies)      +          ($7 per cake)*(c cakes)

   Total Profit   =  ($4 / pie)*(p pies)         +          ($7 / cake)(c cakes)

   Total Profit   =    $4p  + $7c             [note: pies cancel and cakes cancel, leaving only $]

 

Now, you may find the Total Profit for p=11 pies and c=7 cakes:

   P = $4 * 11   +   $7 * 7             [be careful not to confuse 7's]