You invite 56, only 5 tables, round seats 8 and rectangle seats 12. How many rectangular and round tables will you need to seat all 56 guests?

Question

It's a linear equation with only 2 variables and I'm having issues with setting up the equations.

Answer 1

Keya,

 

Assume there are x round tables and y rectangular tables

 

x + y = 5 or x = 5-y

Also 8x + 12y = 56

Substitute for x in second equation

8(5-y) + 12y = 56

4y + 40 = 56

4y = 16 or y = 4

 

x = 5-y = 5-4 = 1

So 1 round table and 4 rectangular tables