Answer:
cost for each pound of trail mix is $1.75
and each pound of jelly beans is $2.75
Step-by-step explanation:
Let x = cost of each pound if trail mix.
Let y = cost of each pound if jelly beans.
For 7 pounds of trail mix and 9 pounds of jelly beans, the total cost is $ 37. This means
7x + 9y = 37 - - - - - - - - 1
For 5 pounds of trail mix and 3 pounds of jelly beans, the total cost is $ 17 . This means
5x + 3y = 17 - - - - - - - - - - 2
Solving the equations simultaneously by elimination method,
Multiply equation 1 by 5 and equation 2 by 7
35x + 45y = 185 - - - - - - -3
35x + 21y = 119 - - - - - - - - 4
Subtracting equation 4 from equation 3
24y = 66
y = 66/24 = $2.75
Put y = 2.75 in equation 1
5x + 3×2.75 = 17
5x + 8.25= 17
5x = 17-8.25=8.75
x= 8.75/5 = $1.75
