Solve a system of equations using elimination: word problems

Question

Write a system of equations to describe the situation below, solve using elimination, and fill in the blanks.

An administrative assistant is making some copies. She made 10 one-sided copies and 44 two-sided copies for the V.P. of Marketing, which took a total of 196 seconds. Next, she made 21 one-sided copies and 40 two-sided copies for the Director of Sales, which took 202 seconds. How long does it take to make each type of copy?

It takes__seconds to make a one-sided copy and__seconds to make a two-sided copy.

Answer 1

10o + 44t = 196

21o + 40t = 202

To solve using elimination, either variable needs to be opposites to cancel out. What's the LCM of 21 and 10? 210, right?

210o + 924t = 4116

-210t - 400t = -2020

Adding them together...

524t = 2096

t = 4

Solving for o is on you. Go.