Mr. Dawson purchased some artichokes for 80 cents each and twice as many pineapples for 95 cents each. Altogether he spent $18.90. Let x represent the number of artichokes. How many artichokes did Mr. Dawson purchase?

Answer: 7

Explanation: we need to solve for x which is the number of Artichokes

.8x (80-cents per artichoke) + 2 (.95x) (twice as many pineapples at 95-cents) = 18.90 (total amount spent)

.8x + 1.9x = 18.90

2.7x = 18.90 (.8x + 1.9x = 2.7x)

x = 18.90/2.7 (divide both sides by 2.7 to get x)

x = 7

to check the solution

.8 (7) + 2 (.95*7) = 18.90

5.60 + 2 (6.65) = 18.90

5.6 + 13.30 = 18.90

18.90 = 18.90

7 Artichokes

14 Pineapples (twice as many as Artichokes)