If two boxes of cereal and a jug of milk cost $8.50, and three boxes of cereal and two jugs of milk cost $14.00, how much does a box of cereal cost?

Answer 1

2C + M = 8.5

3C +2M = 14

multiply the 1st equation by 2, then subtract the 2nd equation to eliminate M

4C-3C = 17 -14 = 3

C =$3 for a box of cereal

M= 8.5-2(3) = $2.50 for a jug of milk