a small fruit basket with 6 apples and 6 oranges costs 7.50. A different fruit basket with 10 apples and 5 oranges costs 8.75. whats is the cost of one apple?

This can be modeled with the two equations

6A + 6J = 7.5

10A + 5J = 8.75

A = cost per apple

J = cost per orange

We will substitute one equation into the other

6A + 6J = 7.5

6J = 7.5 - 6A

J = 1.25 - A

plug J into the other equation

10A + 5 (1.25 - A) = 8.75

Solve for A

A =.5

the cost of one apple is. 5