Mary and her two friends agreed to evenly pay for the cost of 2 pounds of chicken. Mary's mother went to the grocery and bought the 2-pound chicken, 3 pounds of beef that cost $4 per pound, and a liter of oil that costs $1. If Mary's mother paid a total of $16 for the grocery, how much should Mary and her two friends pay each for the chicken? Give me reasons, before answering the question
Three pounds of beef cost $4 x 3 = $12. Mary's mother paid $12 + $1 = $13 for the beef and oil. Hence, the 2 - pound chicken cost $16 - $13 = $3. There are 1 (Mary) + 2 friends = 3 people who will split the $3 cost. Therefore, each of them will pay $3 / 3 = $1. So the final answer is 1.