A = 0.25
Step-by-step explanation:
Let P = cost of pears
A = cost of apples
From the problem, we can write
7P + 4A = 2.05. #1
4P + 3A = 1.35. #2
Multiply Eqtn #1 by -4 and multiply Eqtn #2 by 7 to get
-28P - 16A = -8.20
28P + 21A = 9.45
Adding these two together, we get
5A = 1.25
or
A = 0.25
Apples cost $0.25 or 25 cents each
Bonus:
To find the cost of pears, substitute A = 0.25 into Eqtn #2, we get
4P + 3(0.25) = 1.35
or
P = 0.15
