Jasmine bought 1.3 pounds of ham and 0.8 pounds of cheese from the deli and paid $11.28. She went back the following week and bought 1.5 pounds of ham and 1.2 pounds of cheese and paid $14.76. If the prices remained the same, find the price per pound of ham and cheese using the elimination method

Let

x be the price for a pound of ham

y the price for a pound of cheese

1.3x + 0.8y = 11.28 ... (1)

1.5x + 1.2y = 14.76 ... (2)

Lets multiply (1) by - 1.2

Lets multiply (2) by 0.8

-1.56x - 0.96y = - 13.536 ... (3)

1.2x + 0.96y = 11.808 ... (4)

If we add (3) and (4)

-0.36x = - 1.728 ... > x = 4.8

We substitute in (1)

1.3 (4.8) + 0.8y = 11.28

y = 6.3

Price per pound of ham = x = 4.8

Price per pound of cheese = y = 6.3