Question

A student bought 1 box of crayons and 5 reams of paper for $54. She bought 5 boxes of crayons and 3 reams of paper $50. what is the cost of each box of crayons and each ream of paper?

Answer 1

Lets solve it using a system of equations, c is the price of crayons and p the price of reams of paper, so we have:
1c + 5p = 54
5c + 3p = 50
those equations represent the situation. Lets solve the system multiplying the first equation by -5 and adding it to the second, we have:
-5c - 25p = -270
 5c + 3p = 50
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0 - 22p = - 220
22p = 220
p = 10
and now substitute in the original equation:
1c + 5p = 54
1c + 5(10) = 54
c = 4