Answer :
Answer: Let's assume Ms. Wells bought x pounds of bananas and (11.75 - x) pounds of oranges.
The cost of bananas is $0.40 per pound, so the cost of x pounds of bananas is 0.4x.
The cost of oranges is $0.80 per pound, so the cost of (11.75 - x) pounds of oranges is 0.8(11.75 - x).
The total cost of the fruit purchase is $8.00, so we can write:
0.4x + 0.8(11.75 - x) = 8
Simplifying this equation:
0.4x + 9.4 - 0.8x = 8
-0.4x = -1.4
x = 3.5
Therefore, Ms. Wells bought 3.5 pounds of bananas.
So the answer is (B) 3.50 pounds.
Step-by-step explanation:
Final answer:
B- 3.50 pounds
Explanation:
To solve this problem, we will use a system of equations. Let's designate B as the weight of bananas Ms. Wells bought and O as the weight of oranges.
With this information, we can establish the following two equations:
- B + O = 11.75 (total weight)
- 0.40B + 0.80O = 8.00 (total cost)
To find the weight of bananas, we can manipulate these equations. Multiply the first equation by 0.40 to align the coefficient of B in both equations:
- 0.40B + 0.40O = 4.70
- 0.40B + 0.80O = 8.00
Subtracting the first modified equation from the second equation, we get:
0.40O = 3.30
Dividing by 0.40, we find the weight of oranges:
O = 3.30 / 0.40
O = 8.25 pounds
Now, to find B, we substitute O into the first original equation:
B + 8.25 = 11.75
B = 11.75 - 8.25
B = 3.50 pounds
