word problems for equations

Question

Sadie runs a farm stand that sells blueberries and peaches. Each pound of blueberries sells for $3.25 and each pound of peaches sells for $3. Sadie sold 3 times as many pounds of peaches as pounds of blueberries and she made $171.50 altogether. Determine the number of pounds of blueberries sold and the number of pounds of peaches sold.

Answer 1

Blueberries $3.25/lb; peaches $3/lb

Assume x lbs of blueberries. Sold 3 times as many peaches as blueberries, so 3x lbs of peaches were sold.

Dollar value of blueberries = $'s/lb x lbs sold = 3.25x

Dollar value of peaches = 3(3x). Total sold = 3.25x + 9x = 171.50

12.25 x = 171.50; x = 14 lbs of blueberries; 3x = 42 lbs of peaches

Check: $3.25(14) + $3(42) = $45.50 + .$126.00 = $171.50