16Hit1600
AlgebraMediumTwo-variable pricing problem

Algebra practice question

At a bake sale, 12 muffins and 8 scones cost $36, and 6 muffins and 12 scones cost $30. What is the price, in dollars, of one scone?

Answer: 1.5 or 3/2

12m + 8s = 36 and 6m + 12s = 30. Double the second: 12m + 24s = 60. Subtract the first: 16s = 24, so s = 1.50 (and m = 2).

Common wrong answers

If you answered 2
2 is the price of a muffin.
If you answered 3
3 comes from 36 ÷ 12, treating the first tray as scones only.
If you answered 1.8
1.8 comes from 36 ÷ 20, dividing the total by the number of items.

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