In a two-pound box of nuts and bolts that costs $2.34, the nuts cost 96 cents per pound when purchased separately and the weight in the box due to bolts is equal to the weight due to nuts. How much will two pounds of bolts cost separately?

A. $2.76
B. $1.92
C. $1.59
D. $1.41
E. $1.38

The OA is A.

I'm really confused with this PS question. Experts, any suggestion about how to solve it? Thanks in advance.

Hi LUANDATO,
Let's take a look at your question.

A two pound box of nuts and bolts cost $2.34.

The statement says that the weight in the box due to bolts is equal to the weight due to nuts, which means that the weight of nuts is equal to the weight of bolts.
So a 2 pound box will contain 1 pound of nuts and 1 pound of bolts.

The nuts cost 96 cents per pound when purchased separately.

So to find the cost of bolts in the box, we need to subtract the cost of nuts from the total cost of two-pound box.
Cost of 1 pound bolts = $2.34 - $0.96 = $1.38

We are asked to find "How much will two pounds of bolts cost separately? "
Cost of 2 pounds bolts = 2 * (1.38) = $2.76

Therefore, Option A is correct.

Hope it helps.
I am available if you'd like any follow up.