word problem

Question

The Nutty Professor sells cashews for $6.10 per pound and Brazil nuts for $4.50 per pound. How much of each type should be used to make a 29 pound mixture that sells for $5.27 per pound?

Round answers to the nearest pound.


________pounds of cashews

_________pounds of Brazil nuts

Answer 1

Let x = the number of pounds of cashews

Let y = the number of pounds of Brazil nuts

x + y = 29       x = 29 - y

6.10x + 4.50y = 5.27(29) = 152.83    Multiply both sides of this equation by 100 to get rid of the decimal points.

610x + 450y = 15,283

610(29-y) + 450y = 15,283

17,690 - 610y + 450y = 15,283

-160y = -2407

y ≈ 15 pounds

x = 29 - 15

x ≈ 14 pounds