decimal questions

Question

Josh is buying fruit. Using a scale he figures out that 2 bananas and 3 apples weigh .94lbs. A Banana and an apple weigh .36lbs. How heavy are 5 bananas and 2 apples?

Answer 1

Hi Josh,

 

let b = weight of a banana

     a = weight of an apple

 

2a + 3b = .94

a + b = .36

 

now we have two equations and two unknowns so we can solve

 

lets multipy the second equation by 2 and then subtract to get rid of one of the variables

 

2a + 3b = .94

2a + 2b = .72         (multiplied by 2

 

 

now subtract

 

b = .22

 

a + .22 = .36

 

a = .14

 

now find 2a + 5b

 

2(.14) + 5(.22)

 

.28 + 1.1

 

1.38

 

Hope this helps