Let's define the number of pies sold as follows:

• Let $x$ be the number of pumpkin pies sold.
• Let $y$ be the number of cherry pies sold.
• Let $z$ be the number of apple pies sold.

Given:

• Sweet Dreams Bakery sold 12 more apple pies than cherry pies, so $z = y + 12$.
• The bakery sold 5 more cherry pies than pumpkin pies, so $y = x + 5$.
• The bakery sold 12 pumpkin pies yesterday, so $x = 12$.

First, substitute $x = 12$ into the equation $y = x + 5$:

$y = 12 + 5 = 17$

Next, substitute $y = 17$ into the equation $z = y + 12$:

$z = 17 + 12 = 29$

Now we know:

• The bakery sold 12 pumpkin pies ($x = 12$).
• The bakery sold 17 cherry pies ($y = 17$).
• The bakery sold 29 apple pies ($z = 29$).

To find the total number of pies sold, we add these quantities together:

$\text{Total pies sold} = x + y + z = 12 + 17 + 29 = 58$

So, Sweet Dreams Bakery sold a total of 58 pies yesterday.

Would you like details or have any questions?

Here are some related questions to further explore:

1. How many slices of pumpkin pie were sold if each pumpkin pie is cut into 18 slices?
2. What is the ratio of apple pies to cherry pies sold yesterday?
3. If each apple pie was sold for $10, what was the total revenue from apple pies?
4. How would the total number of pies change if 3 more pumpkin pies were sold?
5. What percentage of the total pies sold were cherry pies?

Tip: When solving word problems, clearly defining variables and writing equations based on the problem’s conditions helps simplify complex scenarios.