Question

A paper company needs to ship paper to a large printing business. The paper will be

shipped in small boxes and large boxes. The volume of each small box is 6 cubic feet
and the volume of each large box is 22 cubic feet. A total of 22 boxes of paper were
shipped with a combined volume of 324 cubic feet. Write a system of equations that
could be used to determine the number of small boxes shipped and the number of
large boxes shipped. Define the variables that you use to write the system.

Answer 1

10 small boxes and 12 large boxes

Explanation:

Let x = number of large boxes

Let y = number of small boxes

We are told that;

volume of each small box = 6 cubic feet

volume of each large box = 22 cubic feet.

Total volume = 324 ft³

Thus;

6x + 22y = 324 - - - (eq 1)

We are told that 22 boxes of paper were shipped.

Thus; x + y = 22 - - - (eq 2)

Making x the subject in eq 2 gives;

x = 22 - y

Put 22 - y for x in eq 1;

6(22 - y) + 22y = 324

132 - 6y + 22y = 324

16y = 324 - 132

16y = 192

y = 192/16

y = 12

So, x = 22 - 12 = 10