We will let the following:
A = cost of Apple
O = cost of Orange
P = cost of Pear
From the given problem we will have these equations:
A + P + O = 40 Equation 1
O = P - 3 Equation 2
P = A + 5 Equation 3
Now lets solve for A in Equation 3:
P = A + 5
P - 5 = A Equation 4
Lets substitute Equation 2 and Equation 4 into Equation 1:
A + P + O = 40
P - 5 + P + P - 3 = 40
3P - 8 = 40
3P = 40 +8
3P = 48
P = 48/3
P = 16 Cost of Pear ANSWER
Now lets substitute P = 16 into Equation 2:
O = P - 3
O = 16 - 3
O = 13 Cost of Orange ANSWER
Now lets substitute P = 16 into Equation 4:
P - 5 = A
16 - 5 = A
11 = A Cost of Apple ANSWER
