F Emily bought three pounds of oranges and four pounds of bananas for and Beth bought four pounds of oranges and two pounds of bananas for , how much should Jenel expect to pay for nine pounds of oranges and seven pounds of bananas?

she would pay $20.14

Step-by-step explanation:

Let x represent the cost of one pound of orange.

Let y represent the cost of one pound of banana.

If Emily bought three pounds of oranges and four pounds of bananas for $8.53, the expression would be

3x + 4y = 8.53- - - - - - - - - -1

Beth bought four pounds of oranges and two pounds of bananas for $7.74. The expression would be

4x + 2y = 7.74- - - - - - - - - -2

Multiplying equation 1 by 4 and equation 2 by 3, it becomes

12x + 16y = 34.12

12x + 6y = 23.22

Subtracting, it becomes

10y = 10.9

y = 10.9/10

y = 1.09

Substituting y = 1.09 into equation 1, it becomes

3x + 4 × 1.09 = 8.53

3x + 4.36 = 8.53

3x = 8.53 - 4.36

3x = 4.17

x = 4.17/3 = 1.39

For 9 pounds of oranges and 7 pounds of bananas , Jenel would pay

(9 × 1.39) + (7 × 1.09)

= 12.51 + 7.63 = $20.14