Jim bought some potted plants. Petunias cost $11 per pot and Begonias cost $15 per pot. Jim bought 19 potted plants in all and spent a total of $225 on the plants. Which would be a correct statement?

Question

Jim bought 15 petunias
Jim bought 4 petunias
Jim bought 15 begonias
Jim bought 18 begonias

Answer 1

Let $p$ be the number of petunias and $b$ be the number of begonias. We can set up the following system of equations based on the information given:

1. The total number of plants: $$p+b=19$$

2. The total cost of the plants: $$11p+15b=225$$

Now, we can solve these equations step by step.

From the first equation, we can express $b$ in terms of $p$: $$b=19-p$$

Next, we substitute this expression for $b$ into the second equation: $$11p+15(19-p)=225$$

Now, distribute the 15: $$11p+285-15p=225$$

Combine like terms: $$-4p+285=225$$

Now, subtract 285 from both sides: $$-4p=225-285$$ $$-4p=-60$$

Divide by -4: $$p=15$$

Now that we have $p$, we can find $b$: $$b=19-p=19-15=4$$

So, Jim bought 15 petunias and 4 begonias.

Therefore, the correct statement is: Jim bought 15 petunias.