Question

He drank 2 small bottles and 2 large bottles, for a total of 76 ounces. The day before, he drank 4 small bottles and 1 large bottle, for a total of 83 ounces. How much does each bottle hold?

Answer 1

Answer: the small bottle holds 15 ounces while the large bottle holds 23 ounces.

Step-by-step explanation:

Let x represent the number of ounces that a small bottle holds.

Let y represent the number of ounces that a large bottle holds.

He drank 2 small bottles and 2 large bottles, for a total of 76 ounces. It means that

2x + 2y = 76 - - - - - - - - - - - - 1

The day before, he drank 4 small bottles and 1 large bottle, for a total of 83 ounces. This means that

4x + y = 83 - - - - - - - - - - - - -2

Multiplying equation 1 by 2 and equation 2 by 1, it becomes

4x + 4y = 152

4x + y = 83

Subtracting, it becomes

3y = 69

y = 69/3 = 23 ounces

Substituting y = 23 into equation 1, it becomes

2x + 2 × 23 = 76

2x + 46 = 76

2x = 76 - 46 = 30

x = 30/2 = 15 ounces