What is the cost of a lb of cherries when apples cost 30p per lb more than bananas and 72p less than cherries but the cost of 2 lb of apples and 3 lb of bananas is the same price as 2 lb of cherries?

Answer 1

Let the apples be 'A' pence per lb

Bananas cost: (A-30) pence per lb

Cherries cost: (A+72) pence per lb

Cost of 2 lb of apples = 2A

Cost of 3 lb of bananas = 3(A-30)

Cost of 2 lb of cherries = 2(A+72)

But: 2A+3(A-30) = 2(A+72)

So: 2A+3A-90 = 2A+144 => 3A = 234 => A = 78

Therefore cherries cost: 78+72 = 150 pence per lb

Answer 2

Cherries are 150p per pound.