Jim bought some potted plants:

Question

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?

(1 point)
Responses

Jim bought 4 petunias.
Jim bought 4 petunias.

Jim bought 18 begonias.
Jim bought 18 begonias.

Jim bought 15 begonias.
Jim bought 15 begonias.

Jim bought 15 petunias.

Answer 1

Let \( p \) represent the number of petunias and \( b \) represent the number of begonias.

We have two equations based on the information provided:

1. The total number of plants: \[ p + b = 19 \]

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

Now, we can use the first equation to express \( b \) in terms of \( p \): \[ b = 19 - p \]

Next, substitute \( b \) in the second equation: \[ 11p + 15(19 - p) = 225 \] Expanding this: \[ 11p + 285 - 15p = 225 \] Combining like terms: \[ -4p + 285 = 225 \] Subtract 285 from both sides: \[ -4p = 225 - 285 \] \[ -4p = -60 \] Dividing by -4: \[ p = 15 \]

Now, substitute \( p = 15 \) back into the equation for \( b \): \[ b = 19 - 15 = 4 \]

Thus, Jim bought 15 petunias and 4 begonias. The correct statement from the provided options is:

Jim bought 15 petunias.