Jordan paid $11.20 for 5 pears and 6 peaches. The cost of 3 pears is as much as 2 peaches. Find the cost of a pear. Find the cost of a peach.



Answer :

Let X represent the cost of 1 pear and Y represent the cost of 1 peach.

Use the given information to set up a system of equations:
5X + 6Y = 11.20
3X = 2Y

Use the second equation to solve for Y:
3X = 2Y
Y = 1.5X

Plug the new found value for Y into the first, unused equation:
5X + 6(1.5X) = 11.20

Simplify:
5X + 9X = 11.20
or
14X = 11.20

Solve for X:
X = .8

Now that you have the value for X, you can plug it into either of the first two equations to solve for Y:
3X = 2Y
3(.8) = 2Y
2.4 = 2Y
Y = 1.2

Each pear is $0.80 and each peach is $1.20.