Question

Helena needs 3.5 cups of flour per loaf of bread and 2.5 cups of flour per batch of muffins. She also needs 0.75 cup of sugar per loaf of bread and 0.75 cup of sugar per batch of muffins. Helena has 17 cups of flour and 4.5 cups of sugar available for baking.

Answer 1

The correct answer is:

She can make 2 loaves of bread and 4 batches of muffins

Answer 2

From the given data, we can generate two equations with two unknowns. 

We let x = number of loaves of bread
            y = number of batches of muffins

For the equation of the flour requirement:
17 = 3.5x + 2.5y

For the equation of the sugar requirement:
4.5 = 0.75x + 0.75y

We evaluate the solutions by manipulating one of the equations into terms of the other. We use the first equation.We write x in terms of y.

x = (4.5/0.75) - y

Substitute the third equation to the second equation.

17 = (3.5((4.5/0.75)-y)) + 2.5y

Evaluating y and x, we have,

y = 4 and x = 2

Thus, from the amounts she has in hand, she can make 4 loaves of bread and 2 batches of muffins.