Question

A paper company needs to ship paper to a large printing business. The paper will be

shipped in small boxes and large boxes. Each small box of paper weighs 50 pounds
and each large box of paper weighs 80 pounds. A total of 19 boxes of paper were
shipped weighing 1280 pounds altogether. Determine the number of small boxes
shipped and the number of large boxes shipped.

Answer 1

x = 8

y = 11

Explanation:

Total small box weight = 50x [x being the number of small boxes]

Total large box weight = 80y [y being the number of large boxes]

Total boxes = x+y = 19

Total weight = 1280

Determine x and y.

You know 2 equations. One for weight and another for number of boxes each.

• 1280 = 50x +80y
• x+y = 19

Rewrite second equation:

x+y=19

y=19-x

You have to plug in one into another.

1280 = 50x + 80(19-x)

Solve for x

1280 = 50x + 1520 - 80x

-240 = -30x

x = 8

Solve for y by plugging in x into one of the equations:

8+y = 19

y = 11