Helen spent $7.75 to purchase 23 snacks for the club meeting. Chips are $0.25 and pretzels are $0.50. How many of each type of snack did Helen buy?

X = chips purchased
y = pretzels purchased

x + y = 23
0.25x + 0.50y = 7.75

You can use substitution or elimination for this one. I will use substitution.

x = 23 - y

0.25 (23 - y) + 0.50y = 7.75
5.75 - 0.25y + 0.50y = 7.75
5.75 + 0.25y = 7.75
0.25y = 2
y = 8

Now we will plug the y value in to one of the starting equations.

x + y = 23

x + 8 = 23

x = 15

Helen bought 15 chips and 8 pretzels.