Question

A publisher needs to send many books to a local book retailer and will send the books in a combination of small and large boxes. Each small box can hold 30 books and each large box can hold 55 books. There were 2 more large boxes sent than small boxes, which altogether can hold 280 books. Determine the number of small boxes sent and the number of large boxes sent.

Answer 1

4 large boxes and 2 small boxes

Explanation:

4 X 55 =220 books

2 X 30 = 60 books

Total = 280 books

Answer 2

2 small boxes sent and 4 large boxes sent.

Explanation:

Let the number of small boxes be S and the number of large boxes by L

Given that there were 2 more large boxes sent than small boxes, then

L = S + 2

Also given that each small box can hold 30 books and each large box can hold 55 books and altogether can hold 280 books.

30S + 55L = 280

Solve both equations simultaneously

30S + 55(S + 2) = 280

85S + 110 = 280

85S = 280 - 110

85S = 170

S = 170/85

S = 2

Since L = S + 2

L = 2 + 2 = 4

The number of small boxes sent and the number of large boxes sent are 2 and 4 respectively.