Question

A mafia hideout was just raided and two large groups of criminals escaped. One group filled 8 cars and 8 vans with a total of 240 people. The second group filled 4 cars and 1 van with a total of 54 people.

Answer 1

Number of people in each car = x = 8

Number of people in each van = y = 22

Explanation:

Let

Number of people in each car = x

Number of people in each van = y

8x + 8y = 240 (1)

4x + y = 54 (2)

From (2)

4x + y = 54 (2)

y = 54 - 4x

Substitute y = 54 - 4x into (1)

8x + 8y = 240 (1)

8x + 8(54 - 4x) = 240

8x + 432 - 32x = 240

8x - 32x = 240 - 432

-24x = -192

x = -192/-24

x = 8

Substitute x = 8 into (2)

4x + y = 54 (2)

4(8) + y = 54

32 + y = 54

y = 54 - 32

y = 22

Number of people in each car = x = 8

Number of people in each van = y = 22