Question

Wilbur and Mike are selling fruit for a school fundraiser. Customers can buy small boxes of grapefruit and large boxes of grapefruit. Wilbur sold 3 small boxes of grapefruit

and 14 large boxes of grapefruit for a total of $306. Mike sold 7 small boxes of grapefruit and 7 large boxes of grapefruit for a total of $252. What is the cost each of one
small box of grapefruit and one large box of grapefru

Answer 1

both size boxes are $18 each

Explanation:

Let x and y represent the costs of the small and large boxes, respectively. Then the two sales are ...

3x +14y = 306

7x +7y = 252

Doubling the second equation and subtracting the first, we have ...

2(7x +7y) -(3x +14y) = 2(252) -(306)

11x = 198

x = 18

y = 252/7 -x = 36 -18 = 18

A small box costs $18, as does a large box.

Answer 2

both size boxes are $18 each

Explanation:

Let x and y represent the costs of the small and large boxes, respectively. Then the two sales are ...

3x +14y = 306

7x +7y = 252

Doubling the second equation and subtracting the first, we have ...

2(7x +7y) -(3x +14y) = 2(252) -(306)

11x = 198

x = 18

y = 252/7 -x = 36 -18 = 18

A small box costs $18, as does a large box.