Pineapples cost $2.50 each and mangos cost $1.50 each. Tim purchased 15 pieces of fruit for $29.50. How many pineapples and how many mangos did he purchase

We can create equations to solve this.

2.50p + 1.50m = 29.50

p + m = 15

Solve for a variable in the 2nd equation and use the substitution method to solve.

p + m = 15

Subtract p to both sides:

m = - p + 15

Plug in - p + 15 for m in the first equation.

2.50p + 1.50 (-p + 15) = 29.50

Distribute:

2.50p - 1.50p + 22.50 = 29.50

Combine like terms:

p + 22.50 = 29.50

Subtract 22.50 to both sides:

p = 7

Now plug this into any of the two equations and solve for the other variable.

p + m = 15

7 + m = 15

Subtract 7 to both sides:

m = 8

So he purchased 7 pineapples and 8 mangos.