Question

Shayna and Mark are selling fruit for a school fundraiser. Customers can buy small boxes of tangerines and large boxes of tangerines. Shayna sold 2 small boxes of tangerines and 4 large boxes for a total of $98. Mark sold 1 small box of tangerines and 8 large boxes for a total of $157. What is the cost of each small box of tangerines and one large box?

Answer 1

S = 13
L= 18

Basically get your two equations
2s+4L=98
1s+8L=157

multiply your first equation by two (so we can get rid of the L first)

4s+8L=196

now subtract both equations
4s+8L=196
1s+8L=157

and you get
3s=39
now you divide 39 by 3 and get
S=13

now plug the S into any equation

1(13)+8L=157

13+8L=157
-13 -13
8L=144
144 divided by 8 is 18 leaving us with..

L=18 and S=13