Question

a grocery bag has some apples and plums in it. there are 10 total pieces of fruit in the bag. the total weight of the apples and plums in the bag is 32 ounces. each apple weighs 5 ounces, and each plum weighs 2 ounces. if there are 4 plums, how many apples must there be to equal a total weight of 32 ounces? start by substituting 4 plums for p in your equation.
$5a + 2p = 32$
$5a + 2 \cdot \square = 32$

number of apples	number of plums	total weight in ounces
?	4	32
	9	32

Explanation:

Step1: Substitute p=4 into equation

$5a + 2(4) = 32$

Step2: Simplify the constant term

$5a + 8 = 32$

Step3: Isolate the variable term

$5a = 32 - 8$
$5a = 24$

Step4: Solve for a

$a = \frac{24}{5} = 4.8$

Answer:

4.8