Question

A caterer is making cookie trays for upcoming holiday parties. This morning, she made one small tray and one large tray, which contain a total of 69 cookies. In the afternoon, she made one small tray and four large trays, which contain a total of 204 cookies. How many cookies do the different size trays contain?​

Answer 1

Small Tray: 24 Cookies

Large Tray: 45 Cookies

Explanation:

Large Tray:

1. Subtract one small and one large tray from one small and four large trays to get the number of cookies on three large trays: 204 - 69 = 135
2. Divide 135 by three (135 is the number of cookies on three large trays): 135 ÷ 3 = 45

Small Tray:

1. One small and one large tray contain a total of 69 cookies and a large tray contains 45 cookies. Therefore, you have to subtract the 45 cookies from the total of the 69 cookies to get the number of cookies on a small tray: 69 - 45 = 24

Answer 2

Large trays contain 45 and small trays contains 24.

Let ;

• small tray = s
• Large tray = l

Creating a system of linear equation:

s + l = 69 ___(1)

s + 4l = 204 ___(2)

From (1) :

s = 69 - l ___(3)

substitute (3) into (2)

69 - l + 4l = 204

3l = 135

l = 45

From (3)

s = 69 - 45

s = 24

Hence, Large trays contain 45 and small trays contains 24.