Question

A business has $11,080 to spend on new laptops and tablet computers for its salespeople. The laptops cost $515 each. The tablets cost $285 each. The business wants each salesperson to have either a laptop or a tablet. There are 30 salespeople. How many of each type of computer should the business buy?

Answer 1

L = number of laptops bought
T = number of tablets bought

ok.. so, we know there are 30 salespeople.... so... the business is getting 30 of devices.. .so, whatever L is and T is, we know L + T = 30

each laptop is 515 bucks, so if they buy L amount, they'd end up paying 515*L or 515L bucks

each tablet is 285, so if they buy T tablets they'd end up paying 285*T or 285T bucks for them.

whatever those may be, we know all they have is 11,080. so 515L + 285T = 11080

$\bf \begin{cases} L+T=30\implies \boxed{T}=30-L\\ 515L+285T=11080\\ ----------\\ 515L + 285\left( \boxed{30-L} \right)=11080 \end{cases}$

solve for L, to see how many laptops they'd get.

what about the tablets?  well, T = 30 - L.

Answer 2

515x + 285y = 11,080

x + y = 30