Math Problem Statement

Morgan runs a farm stand that sells apples and blueberries. Yesterday Morgan sold 20 pounds of apples and 50 pounds of blueberries for a total revenue of $160. Today she sold 38 pounds of apples and 10 pounds of blueberries for a total revenue of $134. Determine the price of each pound of apples and the price of each pound of blueberries.

Solution

To determine the price per pound of apples and blueberries, we can set up a system of equations based on the given information.

Let:

  • xx be the price per pound of apples,
  • yy be the price per pound of blueberries.

From the problem, we can form two equations:

  1. From yesterday's sales: 20x+50y=16020x + 50y = 160 (20 pounds of apples and 50 pounds of blueberries for a total of $160)

  2. From today's sales: 38x+10y=13438x + 10y = 134 (38 pounds of apples and 10 pounds of blueberries for a total of $134)

Now, we will solve this system of equations to find xx and yy.

Step 1: Solve one equation for one variable

We can solve one of the equations for one variable and substitute into the other. Let's solve the second equation for yy: 38x+10y=13410y=13438xy=13438x1038x + 10y = 134 \quad \Rightarrow \quad 10y = 134 - 38x \quad \Rightarrow \quad y = \frac{134 - 38x}{10}

Step 2: Substitute into the first equation

Substitute the expression for yy into the first equation: 20x+50(13438x10)=16020x + 50\left(\frac{134 - 38x}{10}\right) = 160 Simplify the equation: 20x+5(13438x)=16020x + 5(134 - 38x) = 160 20x+670190x=16020x + 670 - 190x = 160 170x+670=160-170x + 670 = 160

Step 3: Solve for xx

170x=160670-170x = 160 - 670 170x=510-170x = -510 x=510170=3x = \frac{-510}{-170} = 3 So, the price per pound of apples is x=3x = 3 dollars.

Step 4: Solve for yy

Substitute x=3x = 3 into the expression for yy: y=13438(3)10=13411410=2010=2y = \frac{134 - 38(3)}{10} = \frac{134 - 114}{10} = \frac{20}{10} = 2 So, the price per pound of blueberries is y=2y = 2 dollars.

Final Answer:

  • The price per pound of apples is $3.
  • The price per pound of blueberries is $2.

Would you like further details or have any questions?


Here are 5 related questions to explore:

  1. What would the revenue be if Morgan sold 15 pounds of apples and 30 pounds of blueberries tomorrow?
  2. How would the price change if Morgan decided to increase the price of blueberries by 50%?
  3. If Morgan sold only apples tomorrow, how many pounds would she need to sell to make $150?
  4. How does the system of equations change if she gives a discount on both items?
  5. Could Morgan sell different proportions of apples and blueberries and still make the same revenue? How?

Tip: For solving systems of equations, substitution and elimination methods are often interchangeable depending on the complexity of the problem.

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Math Problem Analysis

Mathematical Concepts

Algebra
Systems of Linear Equations

Formulas

Revenue equation: 20x + 50y = 160
Revenue equation: 38x + 10y = 134
Solving for a variable: y = (134 - 38x)/10

Theorems

Substitution method for solving systems of linear equations

Suitable Grade Level

Grades 8-10