The events committee buys 80 flowers for a school dance. The flowers are a combination of carnations and roses. Each carnation costs $0.50, and each rose costs $2.50. The committee spends a total of $72, not including tax.

How many of each type of flower does the committee buy?

64 carnations and 16 roses.

Step-by-step explanation:

The events committee buys 80 flowers

The flowers are a combination of carnations and roses.

Each carnation costs $0.50 and each rose costs $2.50

The committee spends a total of $72

Solution:

Let there be (c) carnations and (r) roses.

So,

c + r = 80 flowers

and $0.50c + $2.50 = $72

This forms a simultaneous equation:

c + r = 80 ... (i)

0.5c + 2.5r = 72 ... (ii)

Multiplying equation (i) by 0.5 and equation (ii) by 1 gives;

0.5c + 0.5r = 40 ... (i)

0.5c + 2.5r = 72 ... (ii)

Subtracting (i) from (ii) gives;

0c + 2r = 32

2r = 32

r = 32 : 2 = 16

Therefore, there are 16 roses

and 80 - 16 = 64 carnations