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 7 cubic feet and the volume of each large box is 13 cubic feet. A total of 26 boxes of paper were shipped with a combined volume of 254 cubic feet. Determine the number of small boxes shipped and the number of large boxes shipped.

Answer 1

Explanation:

Let's say S is the number of small boxes and L is the number of large boxes.

S + L = 26

7S + 13L = 254

Solve the system of equations using substitution.

7S + 13(26 − S) = 254

7S + 338 − 13S = 254

84 − 6S = 0

S = 14

L = 26 − S

L = 12

The company shipped 14 small boxes and 12 large boxes.

Answer 2

Answer:14 small boxes and 12 large boxes were shipped.

Explanation:

Let x represent the number of small boxes of paper that were shipped.

Let y represent the number of large boxes of paper that were shipped.

A total of 26 boxes of paper were shipped. This means that

x + y = 26

The volume of each small box is 7 cubic feet and the volume of each large box is 13 cubic feet. The total number of boxes shipped have a combined volume of 254 cubic feet. This means that

7x + 13y = 254 - - - - - - - - - - - - 1

Substituting x = 26 - y into equation 1, it becomes

7(26 - y) + 13y = 254

182 - 7y + 13y = 254

- 7y + 13y = 254 - 182

6y = 72

y = 72/6 = 12

x = 26 - y = 26 - 12

x = 14