Question

Pineapples cost $2.50 each and mangoes cost $1.50 each. Tim purchased 15 pieces of fruit for $29.50 How many pineapples and how many mangoes did he purchase?.

Answer 1

x + y = 15
2.50x+1.50y = 29.50

Answer 2

My favorite approach is to use Hally85's equation and multiply the entire first line by -1.50.

Then, when I add the two equations together, the y's cancel out.

Answer 3

so multiply 29.50 by -1.50?

Answer 4

No multiply that number to the first equation

Answer 5

This is so that the y's are able to cancel each other out since it will be -1.5y and +1.5y

Answer 6

that gave me 22.50, Im so sorry im no good at word problems.

Answer 7

That's alright, you're doing it correctly. Just take it slowly.
Ok so what do you get when you distribute
-1.50(x+y=15)

Answer 8

What you do to one part of the equation, you have to do to the other parts, correct? And that's why you distribute.

Answer 9

Im still stuck????

Answer 10

Okay well show me what you've got so far

Answer 11

x+y=15

Answer 12

Ok have you learned elimination and substitution?