Answer:
Small boxes contain 60 paperclips and large boxes contain 175 paperclips.
Step-by-step explanation:
1. Set up two simultaneous equations:
Use s for small boxes and l for large boxes. (You could use any letters)
4s + 5l= 1115
3s + 2l= 530
2. Number the equations:
4s + 5l= 1115 (1)
3s + 2l= 530 (2)
3. Multiply both equations to get the same number of ls (for different questions the letters might be different):
<u>(1) x 2:</u>
8s + 10l= 2230 (3)
<u>(2) x 5:</u>
15s + 10l= 2650 (4)
4. Subtract one from the other to get rid of the ls:
<u>(4) - (3)</u>
8s + 10l= 2230
- 15s + 10l= 2650
7s =420
5. Solve for s:
s= 420/7= 60
6. Substitute the s value into one of the original equations to find l:
4 x 60 + 5l= 1115
240 + 5l= 1115
5l= 1115 - 240
5l= 875
l= 875/5= 175
