4

Set 11: Systems of Equations (Intermediate)

Explanation

Answer: A

A candy store sells chocolate bars for $2 each and lollipops for $0.50 each. Marcus bought 20 items total for $25. How many chocolate bars did he buy?

A.

10 chocolate bars

✓ Correct
B.

12 chocolate bars

C.

15 chocolate bars

D.

8 chocolate bars

Detailed Explanation

Choice A is correct. Choice A is the correct answer. Let cc = chocolate bars and ll = lollipops. System: {c+l=202c+0.5l=25\begin{cases} c + l = 20 \\ 2 c + 0.5 l = 25 \end{cases} Step 1: From first equation: l=20cl = 20 - c Step 2: Substitute: $$$2c + 0.5(20 - c) = 252c+100.5c=252c + 10 - 0.5 c = 251.5c = 15c = 10$$ Solution: 10 chocolate bars (and 10 lollipops) Verification: $$10+ 10 = 20$$ ✓ and 2(10) + 0.5(10) = 20 + 5 = 25✓ Strategic Tip: Convert decimals to fractions if it helps: $$0.5= \frac{1}{2}$$. Choice B is incorrect because2(12) + 0.5(8) = 24 + 4 = 28 \neq 25.ChoiceCisincorrectbecause. Choice C is incorrect because 2(15) + 0.5(5) = 30 + 2.5 = 32.5 \neq 25.ChoiceDisincorrectbecause. Choice D is incorrect because 2(8) + 0.5(12) = 16 + 6 = 22 \neq 25$.

Key Steps:

The correct answer is 10 chocolate bars

Why others are wrong:
B: Choice B is incorrect and may result from a calculation error.
C: Choice C is incorrect and may result from a calculation error.
D: Choice D is incorrect and may result from a calculation error.

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