Question

Beth made wristbands and belts for a craft sale. She sold 30 of these items. Each Wristband sold for $5.50. Each belt sold for $8.75. It’s Beth made $204 at the craft sale, how many wristbands did she sell? How many belts did she sell? Write and solve a system of equations to solve the problem. Show your work.

Answer 1

Let W = number of wristbands.
Let B = number of belts.

Number equation: W + B = 30
Value equation: 5.50W + 8.75B = 204.00

Multiply the top equation by 5.50 and subtract it from the bottom equation:
5.50W + 8.75B = 204.00 <--- 5.50(W + B = 30)
5.50W + 5.50B = 165.00
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---> 3.25B = 39.00 <--- subtract down the columns
---> B = 12 <--- divide by 3.25

Since W + B = 30 ---> W + 12 = 30 ---? W = 18

There were 12 belts and 18 wristbands.