Systems of Linear Equations Word Problems

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

Some students want to order shirts with their school logo. One company charges $9.65 per shirt plus a setup fee of $43. Another company charges $8.40 per shirt plus a $58 fee. Which equation represents the number of shirts when both companies charge the same amount?

• y = 9.65 + x
  y = 8.40 + x

• y = 9.65x + 43
  y = 8.40x + 58

• y =9.65x
  y = 8.40x

• y = 9.65x - 43
  y = 8.40x - 58

The sum of Mr. Micklow and Ms. Craft's age is 55.  The difference is 3.  
Solve:
x + y = 55
x - y = 3

• (26, 23)

• (26, 29)

• (29, 26)

• (29, 32)

What is the solution?
(Hint:  Both lines are graphed over each other)

• One Solution

• No solution

• Infinitely Many Solutions

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A customer at a store paid $64 for 3 large candles and 4 small candles. At the same store, a second customer paid $4 more than the first customer for 1 large candle and 8 small candles. The price of each large candle is the same, and the price of each small candle is the same. Which system of equations can be used to find the price in dollars of each large candle, x, and each small candle, y?

• 4y = 3x + 64

  8y = x + 68

• 4y = 3x + 64

  8y = x + 60

• 3x + 4y = 64

  x + 8y = 68

• 3x + 4y = 64

  x + 8y = 60

Alexandra finds that she can give 3 haircuts and 2 hair dyes in 315 minutes. Giving 2 haircuts and 4 hair dyes takes 450 minutes.  Which system of equations represents the situation?

• 3x + 2y = 315
  2x + 4y = 450

• 3x + 2y = 450
  2x + 4y = 315

• 2x + 2y = 315
  3x + 4y = 450

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

• 3s + 3c = 38

  1s + 2c = 52

A boy has seven more nickels than quarters. The total value of the coins is $4.90. Which system could be used to find out how many nickels and quarters he has?

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Last season two running backs on the Steelers football team rushed a combined 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

• y = 1550 + x

  y = x + 4