Question

Lou wants to make a coffee mixture to sell. He is going to mix Sumatra coffee which costs $2.50 per pound with Columbian coffee which costs $3.75 per pound. He wants to make 50 pounds of mix and he wants the cost of the mix to be $3.35 per pound. How many pound of each will he need?

Answer 1

here's what my teacher gave as a study guide if it helps any better...

define:
x = ___ %
y= ___%

system:
x+y= (total weight)
%x+%y= %(total weight)
**percent as decimals

Answer 2

Okay, and why haven't you done it yet?

Answer 3

because what is x? and what is y?

Answer 4

total weight is 50, that i know. but is x 2.50 and is y 3.75? and where do i put 3.35 in the equation? as the total weight for the second equation?

Answer 5

x + y = 50
2.50x + 3.75y = 3.35(50)

Solve the system

Answer 6

use elimination?

Answer 7

x + y = 50
2.50x + 3.75y = 167.50

Multiply first equation by 2.50:

2.50x + 2.50y = 125.00
2.50x + 3.75y = 167.50

Multiply the 1st equation by -1:
-2.50x - 2.50y = -125.00
2.50x + 3.75y = 167.50

1.25y = 42.00
y = 42.00/1.25

y = 33.60
x = 16.40

Answer 8

x = Samutra
y = Columbian

Answer 9

wow that is very helpful...
do i always have to put the total weight in the first equation multiplied by the total cost in the second equation?

like when you did 3.35(50).

Answer 10

Depends on the problem

Answer 11

mkay...

Answer 12

I still have yet to meet someone who says mkay in real life. So far, it's all online.

Answer 13

yeah i guess :P

Answer 14

thanks you fer the help.

Answer 15

You're welcome mkay

Answer 16

lol