16Hit1600
AlgebraHardCupcakes sold at the higher price

Algebra practice question

A tray of 24 cupcakes was sold out. Some were sold at $2 each and the rest at $1.50 each, for $42 in total. How many were sold at $2?

Answer: 12

2x + 1.5(24 − x) = 42 gives 0.5x + 36 = 42, so x = 12.

Common wrong answers

If you answered 6
6 is 42 − 36 without dividing by 0.5.
If you answered 18
18 comes from 2x + 1.5(24 − x) = 45.
If you answered 21
21 divides 42 by 2, ignoring the cheaper cupcakes.

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