A fish market bought two swordfish at a rate of $12 per pound. The cost of the larger fish was three times as great as the cost of the smaller fish. The total cost of the two fish was threes A fish market bought two swordfish at a rate of $12 per pound. The cost of the larger fish was three times as great as the cost of the smaller fish. The total cost of the two fish was $3696. What's the answer

A fish market bought two swordfish at a rate of $12 per pound. The cost of the larger fish was three times as great as the cost of the smaller fish. The total cost of the two fish was $3,696. How much did each fish weigh?

Step-by-step explanation:

Let the cost of the larger fish be x, and the cost of the smaller fish be y.

From the question,

The cost of the larger fish was three times as great as the cost of the smaller fish, that is

x = 3y

Also, from the question,

The total cost of the two fish was $3,696, that is

x + y = $3,696

Since x = 3y, we can write that

3y + y = $3696

Now, we can determine y

3y + y = $3696

4y = $3696

y = $3696/4

y = $924

Hence, the cost of the smaller fish is $924

From x = 3y; we can determine x

y = $924

∴ x = 3y becomes

x = 3 × $924

x = $2772

Hence, the cost of the larger fish is $2772

Now, to determine how much each fish weigh,

From the question, A fish market bought two swordfish at a rate of $12 per pound

To determine the weight of each fish, we will divide the cost by the rate ($12 per pound)

For the larger fish

Cost = $2772

∴ Weight = $2772 ÷ $12 per pound = 231 pounds

Hence, the larger fish weigh 231 pounds.

For the smaller fish

Cost = $924

∴ Weight = $924÷ $12 per pound = 77 pounds

Hence, the smaller fish weigh 77 pounds.