Solving System of Word Problems

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

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

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

There are 15 animals in a barn.  These animals are horses and chickens.  There are 44 legs in all.  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

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

The talent show committee sold a total of 530 tickets in advance. Student tickets cost $3 each and the adult tickets cost $4 each. If the total receipts were $1740, which system could be used to find how many of each type of ticket were sold?

• S + A = 530
  3S + 4A = 1740

• S + A = 530
  4S + 3A = 1740

• S + A = 1740
  3S + 4A = 530

• S + A = 1740
  4S + 3A = 530

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