Solving Equations with Variables 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

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)

Amy sold 10 packages of sugar cookies and 2 packages of oatmeal cookies for $56. Adam sold 9 packages of sugar cookies and 3 packages of oatmeal cookies for $60. What is the price of 1 pack of sugar cookies and 1 pack of oatmeal cookies?

• Sugar Cookies $5 
  Oatmeal Cookies $3

• Sugar Cookies $4
  Oatmeal Cookies $8

• Sugar Cookies $2
  Oatmeal Cookies $6

• Sugar Cookies $3
  Oatmeal Cookies $6

The Frederick County Fair costs $15.00 to get in and $2.50 per ride, while the Montgomery County Fair costs $10.00 to get in and $3.00 per ride. Which equations could be used to determine how many rides you would need to go on for both fairs to be of equal value?

• 15x + 2.5 = 10x + 3

• 15 - 2.5x = 10 - 3x

• 15 + 2.5x = 10 + 3x

• 15 - 10 = 2.5x + 3x

A rental car agency charges $30.00 per day plus per mile $0.15. Another rental car agency charges $36.00 per day plus $0.10 per mile. How many miles would have to be driven in one day for both rental agencies to cost the same amount to rent?

• 120 miles

• 100 miles

• 110 miles

• 150 miles 

At Gamestop you can buy a Xbox One for $150.00 and each game to go with it would cost $24.00. Or, you can buy a Playstation 4 for $180.00 and each game for $20.00. Write an equation to determine how many games would need to be purchased for the cost to be equal?

• 150x + 24 = 180 + 20x

• 150 + 24x = 180 + 20x

• 180 - 150 = 24 x + 20x

• 150 - 24x = 180 - 20x