Michael bought four tacos and a burrito and paid $9.50. Noah bought two tacos and three burritos and paid $11. Based on the information, what is the cost of one taco?

$1.00

$1.50

$1.75

$2.50

In order to solve this equation you could use guess and check with multiple choice, or you can set up a system of equations.

First we must define our variables:

x=price of taco

y=price of burrito

Michael bought 4 tacos (4x) and (+) and Burrito (y) for $9.50 (=9.5)

4x+y=9.50

Noah bought two tacos (2x) and (+) three burritos (3y) for (=) $11 (11)

2x+3y=11

To solve this system of equations you can easily see substitution as the easiest method. For substitution we must isolate one variable:

4x+y=9.50

y=-4x+9.5

We can now replace the y in the other equation:

2x+3 (-4x+9.5) = 11

Then solve this equation to get the price of a taco (x)

2x-12x+28.5=11

-10x=-17.5

x=1.75

The price of a taco would be $1.75

2t+3b=11 (1) * 2

4t+b=9.5 (2)

4t+6b=22 (3)

(3) - (2)

5b=12.5

b=2.5

4t+2.5=9.5 (2)

4t=7

taco=$1.75