Question

Susan makes holiday wreaths for 4 hours every

Saturday. It takes her 20 minutes to make a small
wreath and 30 minutes to make a large wreath. This
Saturday, Susan will make twice as many large wreaths
as small wreaths. How many of the large wreaths will
she make this Saturday?

Answer 1

6 large wreaths

(and 3 small wreaths)

Explanation:

Let x = number of small wreaths made

Let y = number of large wreaths made

Given:

• Small wreath = 20 mins to make
• Large wreath = 30 mins to make
• Total time = 4 hours = 4 x 60 mins = 240 mins

⇒ 20x + 30y = 240

Given:

• Susan will make twice as many large wreaths as small wreaths

⇒ y = 2x

Substitute y = 2x into 20x + 30y = 240 and solve for x:

⇒ 20x + 30(2x) = 240

⇒ 20x + 60x = 240

⇒ 80x = 240

⇒ x = 3

Therefore, Susan will make 3 small wreaths

Substitute found value for x into y = 2x and solve for y:

⇒ y = 2(3)

⇒ y = 6

Therefore, Susan will make 6 large wreaths