Linear Equations and Inequalities Word Problems

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 the coins and it came to $6.60.  Which system of equations could be used to find the exact number of dimes and nickels? 

• d + n = 6.60
  .10d + .05n = 80

• d + n = 80
  d + n = 6.60

• d + n = 80
  .10d + .05n = 6.60

• d + n = 80
  .05d + .10n = 6.60

On Monday Joe bought 10 cups of coffee and 5 doughnuts for his office at the cost of $16.50.  It turns out that the doughnuts were more popular than the coffee.  On Tuesday he bought 5 cups of coffee and 10 doughnuts for a total of $14.25.  Which equations could be used to determine the cost of the coffee? 

• 10c + 5d = 14.25
  5c + 10d = 16.50

• 10c + 5d = 16.50
  5c + 10d = 14.25

• c + d = 10
  5c + 10d = 16.50

• c + d = 5
  5c + 10d = 16.50

A large pizza at Palanzio’s Pizzeria costs $6.80 plus $0.90 for each topping. The cost of a large cheese pizza at Guido’s Pizza 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

• y + .90x = 6.80
  y + .65x = 7.30

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

Erin is 3 years younger than twice Alex's age. Their ages combined are 33 years. How old are Alex and Erin. If x=Erin's age and y=Alex's age, choose the system that matches the situation.

• x + y = 33
  y = 2x - 3

• x + y = 33
  x = 2y - 3

• x + y = 33
  x = 3 - 2y

• x + y = 3
  x = 33 - 2y

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

Luka and Dana are making cookies for the Westland Pantry. They only have up to 6 hours to bake! They can bake 32 chocolate chip cookies in an hour (x), and 20 snickerdoodle cookies in an hour (y). They need to make at least 150 cookies. Which inequalities represent the situation?

• x + y ≥ 6
  32x + 20y ≤ 150

• x + y ≥ 632
  x + 20y ≥ 150

• x + y ≤ 6
  32x + 20y ≤ 150

• x + y ≤ 6
  32x + 20y ≥ 150

Margaret is a waitress at The Seafood Bonanza.  She earns $3 an hour plus 90% of her tips.  Write an equation for her salary, S, if she works h hours and earns d dollars in tips.

• 3h + 0.90d = S

• S = 90d + 3h

• S = 3d + 90h

• S = 3h + 9.0d

At Joe's Clown Car Rental Agency, renting a car costs $35 plus $0.75 for every mile it is driven.  What is an equation that can be used to find the number of miles, m, a vehicle was driven, if the total rental charge was $222.50?

• 222.5 = m(35 + 0.75)

• 222.5 = 35 + 0.75m

• 222.5 = 0.75 + 35m

• 222.5 = 0.75(m + 35)

The Roaming Cell Phone Company charges $15.00 per month plus $0.20 per minute of airtime usage.  If Juanita uses x minutes of airtime, what is an equation that can be used to determine her monthly cell phone bill (C)?

• C = 15 + 0.20x

• C =15 (0.20x)

• C = 15 + x + 0.20

• C = 0.20 + 15x