2 VALUE WORD PROBLEM

kwhite

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Nov 18, 2005
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I don't even know how to begin to set up this problem. If anyone can help...I'd appreciate it greatly!!!!

A total of 40 stamps are bought for $28. One set costs $0.37 each while the other costs $1.25 each. How many of each set was purchased?
 
A total of 40 stamps are bought for $28. One set costs $0.37 each while the other costs $1.25 each. How many of each set was purchased?

Letting x and y be the two quantities,

x + y = 40 or .37x + .37y = 14.8

.37x + 1.25y = 28

Subtracting, .88y = 13.2 making x = 15 and y = 25.
 
Hello, kwhite!

It seems that Baby-Talk is called for . . .

A total of 40 stamp sets are bought for $28.
One set costs $0.37 each while the other costs $1.25 each.
How many of each set was purchased?
Let x\displaystyle x = number of the small sets.

Since 40 sets were bought, that leaves 40x\displaystyle 40 - x for the large sets.

The x\displaystyle x small sets cost $0.37 each.
. . So their cost is: 0.37x\displaystyle 0.37x dollars.

The 40x\displaystyle 40-x large sets cost $1.25 each.
. . So their cost is: 1.25(40x)\displaystyle 1.25(40-x) dollars.

Hence, the total cost of all the sets was: .0.37x+1.25(40x)\displaystyle 0.37x\,+\,1.25(40-x) dollars.
. . But we are told that the total cost was $28.

So there is our equation! . . . 0.37x+1.25(40x)=28\displaystyle 0.37x\,+\,1.25(40-x)\:=\:28
 
0.37x+1.25(40x)=28\displaystyle 0.37x\,+\,1.25(40-x)\:=\:28

If working with decimals is a "pain" for you, you can get rid of them:
37x + 125(40 - x) = 2800 : in other words, multiply by 100
 
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