Michael is making a large batch of smoothies. The recipe calls for 4 strawberries for every banana. Michael used 55 fruits all together.

Question

Write an equation to represent that there are 4 strawberries for every banana. Use s to represent strawberries and b to represent bananas.

Answer 1

To represent the relationship between the strawberries and bananas in Michael's smoothie recipe, we can start by using the information given:

1. The recipe states that for every banana (b), there are 4 strawberries (s). This can be expressed by the equation: \[ s = 4b \]

2. Michael used a total of 55 fruits (strawberries and bananas combined). This can be represented by the equation: \[ s + b = 55 \]

So, we have the following two equations:

1. \( s = 4b \)
2. \( s + b = 55 \)

These equations can now be used to solve for the number of strawberries and bananas Michael used.