Question

A wedding planner purchased small and large lanterns for a wedding reception. The small lanterns cost $25 each, and the large lanterns cost $40 each. The planner purchased a total of 40 lanterns for a total of $1180.

Answer 1

Answer: y=12 x=28

Explanation:
x=Amount of Small Lanterns y=Amount of Large Lanterns
25x+40y=1180
x+y=40
x=40-y
25(40-y)+40y=1180
1000-25y+40y=1180
1000+15y=1180
15y=180
y=12
x+12=40
x=28

Answer 2

The wedding planner must have purchased 28 small lanterns and 12 large lanterns.

Explanation:

Let the number of small and large lanterns purchased be S and L respectively.

S + L = 40 ........ Equation 1

L = 40 - S

25S + 40L = 1180 ....... Equation 2

25S + 40(40 - S) = 1180

25S + 1600 - 40S = 1180

-15S = 1180 - 1600

-15S = -420

S = 28

L = 40 - S

L = 40 - 28

L = 12

The wedding planner must have purchased 28 small lanterns and 12 large lanterns.