Question

An elementary school held a fundraiser. Students sold candles and plants. The plants sold for $12.50 each and the

candles sold for $3.75 each. The school raised $3,987.50 and sold 410 candles and plants altogether. How many
CANDLES did they sell?

Answer 1

The school sold 130 candles

Explanation:

Given that the plants sold for $12.50 each and the candles sold for $3.75 each. If the school raised raised $3,987.50 and sold 410 candles and plants altogether then the number of candles and plants sold may be computed simultaneously as follows:

Let the number of candles sold be c and the number of plants sold be p. If the school sold 410 candles and plants altogether

p + c = 410

p = 410 - c

if the plants sold for $12.50 each and the candles sold for $3.75 each and the school raised raised $3,987.50

12.5p + 3.75c = 3,987.50

12.5(410 - c) + 3.75c = 3,987.50

5125 -12.5c +3.75c = 3,987.50

-8.75c = 3,987.50 - 5125

-8.75c = -1137.5

c = -1137.5/-8.75

= 130