SOLUTION: 1.a certain number of matches are needed to fill 24 boxes with each boxes containing the same number of matches .when 4 less matches are put in to each box, there are enough for 28

Question 388272: 1.a certain number of matches are needed to fill 24 boxes with each boxes containing the same number of matches .when 4 less matches are put in to each box, there are enough for 28 boxes. find the total number of matches ?
Found 2 solutions by ptaylor, ewatrrr:
Answer by ptaylor(2198) (Show Source): You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Let x=number of matches needed to fill each box.
Then 24x=total number of matches
When x-4 matches are put in each box, then we have a total of 28(x-4)matches
Soooo
28(x-4)=24x
28x-112=24x subtract 28x from each side
-4x=-112
x=28 number of matches needed to fill one box
CK
24*28=28*24
672=672
Hope this helps---ptaylor

Answer by ewatrrr(24785) (Show Source): You can put this solution on YOUR website!

Hi
Let x and (x-4) represent the number of matches filling 24 amd 28 boxes respectively
Note: the Total number of matches is the same filling the 24 and 28 boxes
24x = 28(x-4)
solving for x
24x = 28x - 112
112 = 4x
28 = x, the number in each of the 24 boxes
24*28 = 672 is the total number of matches
CHECKING our answer
24boxes*28matches/box = 28boxes*24matches/box = 672
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