16Hit1600
AlgebraVery hardTwo-variable inequality with a context

Algebra practice question

A bakery has 20 kilograms of flour. A loaf uses 0.5 kilograms and a cake uses 0.8 kilograms. If the bakery makes x loaves and y cakes, which inequality represents the flour constraint?

  1. A. 0.5x + 0.8y ≤ 20Correct
  2. B. 0.5x + 0.8y ≥ 20
  3. C. x + y ≤ 20
  4. D. 0.8x + 0.5y ≤ 20

Answer: A. 0.5x + 0.8y ≤ 20

Flour used is 0.5 per loaf and 0.8 per cake, and it can't exceed 20.

Why the other answers are wrong

B. 0.5x + 0.8y ≥ 20
≥ would require using at least 20 kg — the flour is a limit, not a minimum.
C. x + y ≤ 20
x + y ≤ 20 ignores that loaves and cakes use different amounts.
D. 0.8x + 0.5y ≤ 20
Swaps the amounts for loaves and cakes.

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