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AlgebraEasyEquation for a total cost of two items

Algebra practice question

A shop sells pencils for 2 dollars each and pens for 3 dollars each. Which equation states that x pencils and y pens cost 24 dollars in total?

  1. A. 2x + 3y = 24Correct
  2. B. 3x + 2y = 24
  3. C. x + y = 24
  4. D. 2x − 3y = 24

Answer: A. 2x + 3y = 24

Pencils cost 2x dollars and pens cost 3y dollars, and together they cost 24.

Why the other answers are wrong

B. 3x + 2y = 24
This swaps the prices.
C. x + y = 24
This ignores the prices.
D. 2x − 3y = 24
Costs add; they are not subtracted.

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