Solving Word Problems (System of Equations)

At a college bookstore, Carla purchased a math textbook and a novel that cost a total of $54, not including tax. If the price of the math textbook, t, is $8 more than 3 times the price of the novel, n, which system of linear equations could be used to determine the price of each book?

• t + n = 54
  t = 3n + 8

• t + n = 54
  n = 3t + 8

• t + n = 54
  t = 3n - 8

• t + n = 8
  t = 3n + 54

At a restaurant the cost for a breakfast taco and a small glass of milk is $2.10. The cost for 2 tacos and 3 small glasses of milk is $5.15. If a system of equations is written, which would be the correct representation of the 2 variables? 

• t: # of tacos
  m: # of glasses of milk

• t: Cost of each taco
  m: Cost of each glass of milk

• t: total cost
  m: # of food items

• t: Cost of each glass of milk
  m: Cost of each taco

A large pizza at Palanzio’s Pizzeria (c) costs $6.80 plus $0.90 for each topping.The cost of a large cheese pizza at Guido’s Pizza (c) is $7.30 plus $0.65 for each topping. Which system of equations could be used to find the number of toppings when both companies cost the same amount?

• y = 6.80 + .65x

  y=7.30+.90x

• x + y = 6.80

  x + y = 7.30

• y = 6.80+.90x

  y = 7.30 + .65x

At a college bookstore, Carla purchased a math textbook and a novel that cost a total of $54, not including tax. If the price of the math textbook, t, is $8 more than 3 times the price of the novel, n, which system of linear equations could be used to determine the price of each book?

• t + n = 54

  t = 3n + 8

• t + n = 54

  n = 3t + 8

• t + n = 54

  t = 3n - 8

The school that Stefan goes to is selling tickets to a choral performance. On the first day of ticket sales the school sold 3 senior citizen tickets and 1 child ticket for a total of $38. The school took in $52 on the second day by selling 3 senior citizen tickets and 2 child tickets. Which equations represents the system that could be used?

• 1s + 3c = 38

  2s + 3c = 52

• 3s + 1c = 38

  3s + 2c = 52

• s + c = 38

  s + c = 52

Last season two running backs on the Steelers football team rushed a combined (both running backs) total of 1550 yards. One rushed 4 times as many yards as the other. Let x and y represent the number of yards each individual player rushed. Which system of equations could be used?

• x + y = 1550

  y = 4x

• x + y = 1550

  y = x + 4

• y - x = 1550

  y = 4x

Dennis mowed his next door neighbor’s lawn for a handful of dimes and nickels, 80 coins in all. Upon completing the job he counted out (all) the coins and it came to $6.60. Which system of equations could be used to find the exact number of dimes and nickels? (Hint: How much are the coins worth?)

• d + n = 6.60

  .10d + .05n = 80

• d + n = 80

  d + n = 6.60

• d + n = 80

  .10d + .05n = 6.60

At a restaurant the cost for a breakfast taco and a small glass of milk is $2.10. The cost for 2 tacos and 3 small glasses of milk is $5.15. If a system of equations is written, which would be the correct representation of the 2 variables?

• t: # of tacos

  m: # of glasses of milk

• t: Cost of each taco

  m: Cost of each glass of milk

• t: total cost

  m: # of food items

Lisa and Tammy are selling items at the craft show. Which might be a reasonable solution from the graph showing the number of items sold when they both have earned the same amount? (Where will the two lines touch?)

• (1, 12)

• (3, 19)

• (5, 25)

Caitlin won a bag full of money! She has 49 bills in all. She counts $1430. There are twenty dollar bills and fifty dollar bills. How many of each bill does Caitlin have?  Which system best represents the situation? 

• x + y = 1430
  20x + 50y = 49

• x + y = 49
  10x + 5y = 1430 

• x + y = 49
  20x + 50y = 1430

• x + y = 49
  x + y = 1430