Problem:
Number Concepts-Integers (InterMath)

At Gardner's Gourmet Candies, a package of gummy bears cost 13 cents less than caramels and 28 cent more than jaw breakers. You can buy one of each for a total of $6.39.

How many cents does one package of gummy bears cost?

 

Solution:

x= cost of the bag of gummy bears
y= cost of the bag of jaw breakers
z= cost of the bag of caramels

x= y + .28
cost of the bag of gummy bears equals the cost of the bag of jaw breakers + .28 cents


*x - .28 =y
now rewrite the equation in terms of x (the variable you are trying to solve for) now you have an equation that shows the cost of the bag of jaw breakers equals the cost of the bag of gummy bears minus .28 cents


x= z - .13
cost of the bag of gummy bears equals the cost of the bag of caramels minus .13 cents


*x + .13 =z
now rewrite that equation in terms of xnow you have an equation that states the cost of the bag of caramels equals the cost of the bag of gummy bears plus .13 cents

Add all of the new equations (*) together plus x, set them equal to $6.39 (total cost), and solve for x (the cost of the bag of gummy bears).


x + (x - .28) + (x + .13) = 6.39
x + x - .28 + x + .13 = 6.39
3x - .15 = 6.39
3x = 6.54
x = 2.18


A Package of gummy bears costs $2.18.


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