Solving a word problem using linear equation

Question

A store is having a sale on trail mix and jelly beans. For 3 pounds of trail mix and 8 pounds of jelly beans, the total cost is $21. For 5 pounds of trail mix and 2 pounds of jelly beans, the total cost is $18. 

Find the cost for each pound of trail mix and each pound of jelly beans.

Cost of each pound of trail mix:

Cost of each pound of jelly beans:

Answer 1

3T + 8J = 21

5T + 2J =18

multiply 2nd equation by 4 and subtract 1st equation

20T + 8J = 72

3T +8J =21

17T = 49

T = 49/17 = $2.88 per pound of trail mix

2J = 18-5T = 18 - 5(49/17) = 18-14.41 = 3.59

J= 3.59/2 = $1.79 per pound of jelly beans