Answer:
16 cans
Explanation:
Hey,
I have to admit, this problem is pretty complicated. But I got you :).
To begin, we have to represent the small and large boxes with two separate variables. So...
y = large
x = small
(It really doesn't matter what variable you use, I just used these)
Now, we know that Estelle fills 3 large boxes and 5 small boxes and had a total of 170 cans in total. We can represent this by writing...
3y + 5x = 170
Then, we know that the boy worker filled 4 large boxes and 4 small boxes and had a total of 184 cans. We can represent this by writing...
4y + 4x = 184
As you can see, this is a system of equations.
3y + 5x = 170
4y + 4x = 184
We want to know how many cans each small box can hold, so we have to find a common number for x since x represents the small box.
To do this, we have to multiply the first equation by 4 and the second by 3. Here's what I mean...
4 (3y + 5x = 170)
3 (4y + 4x = 184)
When we do this you get...
12y + 20x = 680
12y + 12x = 552
Notice how the y's are now both 12. We had to do that in order to get rid of y, they had to equal the same number. Now, subtract...
8x = 128
Divide by 8...
x = 16
That means that...
YOUR ANSWER: Each small box can hold up to 16 cans.
I hope this helps :)