Math Problem Statement

A delivery truck is transporting boxes of two sizes: large and small. The combined weight of a large box and a small box is 85 pounds. The truck is transporting 60 large boxes and 70 small boxes. If the truck is carrying a total of 5450 pounds in boxes, how much does each type of box weigh?

Solution

This problem involves setting up a system of equations to find the weights of the large and small boxes.

Let's define:

  • xx = weight of one large box (in pounds)
  • yy = weight of one small box (in pounds)

From the problem, we have two key pieces of information:

  1. The combined weight of one large box and one small box is 85 pounds:
    x+y=85x + y = 85
  2. The truck is carrying 60 large boxes and 70 small boxes, and the total weight is 5450 pounds:
    60x+70y=545060x + 70y = 5450

Now we have the system of equations:

  1. x+y=85x + y = 85
  2. 60x+70y=545060x + 70y = 5450

Step 1: Solve the first equation for one variable.

From x+y=85x + y = 85, we get:
x=85yx = 85 - y

Step 2: Substitute this expression into the second equation.

60(85y)+70y=545060(85 - y) + 70y = 5450

Step 3: Simplify and solve for yy.

510060y+70y=54505100 - 60y + 70y = 5450 5100+10y=54505100 + 10y = 5450 10y=5450510010y = 5450 - 5100 10y=35010y = 350 y=35010=35y = \frac{350}{10} = 35

Step 4: Substitute y=35y = 35 into the first equation.

x+35=85x + 35 = 85 x=8535=50x = 85 - 35 = 50

Final Answer:

  • The weight of each large box is 50 pounds.
  • The weight of each small box is 35 pounds.

Let me know if you want more details or have questions!
Here are 5 related questions:

  1. How would the total weight change if the truck carried 80 small boxes instead?
  2. What if the combined weight of a large box and a small box was different? How would that affect the equations?
  3. How many more large boxes can be added if the truck can carry an additional 1000 pounds?
  4. If the truck could carry 6000 pounds, how many more small boxes could it fit given the same weights?
  5. How would the solution change if we didn't know the total weight, but we knew the ratio of large to small boxes?

Tip:

When dealing with systems of equations, substitution and elimination are both powerful tools. Choose the method that simplifies the problem best!

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Math Problem Analysis

Mathematical Concepts

Algebra
Systems of Equations
Linear Equations

Formulas

x + y = 85
60x + 70y = 5450

Theorems

Substitution Method for Solving Systems of Equations

Suitable Grade Level

Grades 9-11