Word Problem

[elmer]

All pens are sold at one price and all pencils at another price. If 3 pens and 2 pencils are sold for 47 cents, while 2 pens and 3 pencils are sold at 38 cents, what is the cost of a set of one pen and one pencil in cents?

I know it has to do with factors related to 3 and 2, and maybe those numbers are one apart???
Help!!!

 

[Deleted member 4993]

All pens are sold at one price and all pencils at another price. If 3 pens and 2 pencils are sold for 47 cents, while 2 pens and 3 pencils are sold at 38 cents, what is the cost of a set of one pen and one pencil in cents?

I know it has to do with factors related to 3 and 2, and maybe those numbers are one apart???
Help!!!

If you add "3 pens and 2 pencils are sold for 47 cents" and " 2 pens and 3 pencils are sold at 38 cents" - what do you get?

 

[elmer]

Do you mean to add 47 + 38 = 85 and maybe divide by 3 then 2 ?

 

[Mrspi]

Do you mean to add 47 + 38 = 85 and maybe divide by 3 then 2 ?

No, not exactly.

3 pens and 2 pencils sell for 47 cents

2 pens and 3 pencils sell for 38 cents

ADD those facts together.....

3 pens and 2 pencils and 2 pens and 3 pencils sell for (47 + 38) cents

(3 pens and 2 pens) and (2 pencils and 3 pencils) sell for 85 cents.....

5 pens and 5 pencils sell for 85 cents

How much would you pay for ONE pen and ONE pencil?

 

[mmm4444bot]

Yes, if combining the two purchases into a single purchase is what you meant by typing "add 47 + 38 = 85."

But, you do not divide 85 cents by 6.

You get 5 pens and 5 pencils for 85 cents.

1 pen and 1 pencil is 1/5th of 5 pens and 5 pencils; therefore, you purchase 1 pen and 1 pencil for 1/5th of 85 cents.

So, divide 85 cents by 5.