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Question

Mr. Alvarez gives each of his students 4 sheets of paper and 16 sheets are left over. But if two students were absent, each of the remaining students would receive 5 sheets, with only 3 sheets left over. How many sheets of paper does Mr. Alvarez have?

Answer 1

Let x = number of students

     y = total number of sheets of paper

 

Then 4x + 16 = y  and 5(x-2) + 3 = y

 

So, 4x + 16 = 5(x-2) + 3

 

      4x + 16 = 5x - 7

 

              x = 23 students

 

              y = 4x + 16 = 4(23) + 16 = 108 sheets of paper