Solving Word Problems with Systems of Equations

Two brothers went shopping at a back-to-school sale where all shirts and shorts were the same price. The younger brother spent $175 on 7 new shirts and 7 pairs of shorts. The older brother purchased 6 new shirts and 7 pairs of shorts and paid a total of $165. How much did one shirt cost?

• $5

• $10

• $15

• $20

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

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 cost of 5 squash and 2 zucchini is $1.32. Three squash and 1 zucchini cost $0.75. Write a system of equations.

• 5q + 2z = 1.32
  1z = 0.75

• 5q + 2z = 1.32
  3q + 1z = 0.75

• q + z = 1.32
  q + z = 0.75

• 5q + 2z = 0.75
  3q + 1z = 1.32

A customer at a store paid $64 for 3 large candles and 4 small candles. At the same store, a second customer paid $68 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

Nancy went to the grocery story.  On Monday she purchased 4 apples and 6 bananas for a total of $13.  On Wednesday she purchased 3 apples and 7 bananas for a total of $13.50.  Which system of equations represents the situation?

• 4x + 6y = 3
  13.5x - 13y = 6

• x + y = 4
  x - y = 6

• 4x + 6y = 13
  3x + 7y = 13.5

• 4x - 6y = 13
  3x - 7y = 13.5

Your family goes to a concert. There are 6 people in your family. The adult tickets cost $14.80, and the student tickets cost $17. If the total cost was $91, which system best represents the situation? 

• x + y = 6

  14.80x + 17y = 91

• x + y = 91

  14.80x + 17y = 6

• x + y = 6

  14.80y + 17x = 91

• x + y = 91

  14.80x + 17y = 6

The sum of two numbers is 30. The difference of the two numbers is 6. Write a system of equations for this scenario.

• x + y = 30

  x - y = 6

• x + y = 6

  x - y = 30

• 30 + x = 6

  6 - y = x

• 30 + 6 = x

  x + y = 30

A piggy bank has dimes and quarters. The piggy bank has 25 coins, and has a value of $4.90. What system of equations models this scenario?

• d + q = 25

  .10d + .25q = 4.90

• d + q = 4.90

  .10d + .25q = 25

• d + q = 25

  .05d + .10q = 4.90

• d + q = 4.90

  .05d + .10q = 25

You sell 15 rolls of wrapping paper for a fundraiser.  Shiny wrapping paper costs $4 and regular wrapping paper costs $2. The total for the 15 rolls was $44.  Which system of equations represents the situation?

• x + y = 15
  4x + 2y = 44

• 4x + 2y = 15
  x + y = 44

• x = 2y + 44
  4x = y + 15

• 2x - 4y = 44
  x - y = 15