How many students can a van carry? How many students can a bus carry?

Question

The senior classes at High School A and High School B planned separate trips to the local amusement park. The senior class at High School A rented and filled 10 vans and 10 buses with 540 students. High School B rented and filled 5 vans and 3 buses with 198 students. Every van had the same number of students in it as did the buses

Answer 1

Let x = the number of students in a van

Let y = the number of students in a bus

10x + 10y = 540

5x + 3y = 198        Multiply this equation by -2 and add it to the first equation.

 

10x + 10y = 540

-10x - 6y = -396

           4y = 144

             y = 36 students in each bus

 

5x+ 3(36) = 198

5x + 108 = 198

5x = 90

x = 18 students in each van