From the condition, you have these two equations (the system of two equations) 3*b + 2*p = 8*60 (1) (minutes) 0.25*b + 0.20*p = 44 (2) (dollars) where b = # of bowls, p = # of plates. Simplify 3b + 2p = 480, (3) 25b + 20p = 4400. (4) Setup is done. Solve it by any method you know. Eliminating of "p" seems to be attractive.