To represent the situation where Gideon is buying angel fish (x) and puffer fish (y) with a total budget of $30, we can write the equation as follows:
PART A
The cost of the angel fish is $2 each, so the total cost for x angel fish is \(2x\). The cost of the puffer fish is $3 each, so the total cost for y puffer fish is \(3y\). The combined costs should equal $30, giving us the equation:
\[ 2x + 3y = 30 \]
PART B
If Gideon only buys angel fish, we can find how many he can purchase by dividing his total budget by the cost of each angel fish:
\[ \text{Number of angel fish} = \frac{30}{2} = 15 \]
So, Gideon can purchase 15 angel fish.
PART C
If Gideon only buys puffer fish, we can find how many he can purchase by dividing his total budget by the cost of each puffer fish:
\[ \text{Number of puffer fish} = \frac{30}{3} = 10 \]
So, Gideon can purchase 10 puffer fish.