Question

Ms. Day went shopping last week and spent a total of $120. Blankets cost her $16 while pillows cost her $10. Altogether, she bought 9 items. How many of each item did Ms. Day end up buying?

Answer 1

Ms. Day bought 5 blankets and 4 pillows.

Explanation:

Let
`x` denotes number of blankets and
`y` denotes number of pillows.

Blankets cost her $16 while pillows cost her $10 and Ms. Day spent a total of $120.

`16x+10y=120`

Divide this equation by 2.

`8x+5y=60\,\,...(i)`

Ms. Day bought 9 items.

`x+y=9`

Multiply this equation by 5.

`5x+5y=45\,\,...(ii)`

Subtract
`(ii)` from
`(i)`

`3x=15\\x=5`

Put
`x=5` in
`x+y=9`

`5+y=9\\y=9-5\\y=4`

Therefore,

Ms. Day bought 5 blankets and 4 pillows.