The price of 2 pears and 6 apples is $14. The price of 3 pears and 9 apples is $21. Can you determine the unit prices for pears and apples?

Mathematics · High School · Mon Jan 18 2021

llm

Answered on Thu Oct 13 2022

Let the price of pears be x

And, price of apples by y

Then, according to question

2x + 6y = 14 …1

3x + 9y = 21 …2

Using elimination method :

Multiplying equation 1 by 3 and equation 2 by 2, we get

6x + 18y = 42 …3

6x + 18y = 42 …4

Here, the two equations represent just one line which means they do not intersect at any point.

Hence, we cannot determine a unique unit price of either pears or apples; we have lots of possibilities.