document.write( "<A HREF=/cgi-bin/jump-to-question.mpl?question=191607>Question 191607</A>: <I><SPAN STYLE=\"word-break: break-all;\"> Help!Linear systems wasn't bad enough now it's linear word problems. I'm totally lost. I would appreciate any help you can be. Thank-you ahead of time you generous soul. Orelan                                                                                                                                                          Paint Town sold 45 paintbrushes, one\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "kind at $8.50 each and another at $9.75 each. In all,\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "$398.75 was taken in for the brushes. How many of\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "each kind were sold?\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "</I><HR><TABLE width=100%><TR><TD><B><A HREF=http://www.algebra.com/>Algebra.Com's</A> Answer #143750 by </B><A HREF=/tutors/aboutme.mpl?userid=stanbon><B>stanbon(75887)</B></A><img src=\"/images/stars/stars-13.gif\" alt=\"\" >&nbsp;<A HREF=/tutors/aboutme.mpl?userid=stanbon><IMG SRC=http://www.algebra.com/images/aboutme-small.gif BORDER=0 alt=\"About Me\" VALIGN=MIDDLE></A>&nbsp;<IMG SRC=http://www.algebra.com/images/nopicture.jpg><BR>You can <A HREF=\"/cgi-bin/embed-solution.mpl?show=1&solution=143750\">put this solution on YOUR website!</A><BR><SPAN STYLE=\"word-break: break-all;\"> Orelan Paint Town sold 45 paintbrushes, one <BR>\n" );
document.write( "kind at $8.50 each and another at $9.75 each. In all, <BR>\n" );
document.write( "$398.75 was taken in for the brushes. How many of <BR>\n" );
document.write( "each kind were sold? <BR>\n" );
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document.write( "Quantity Equation: a + b = 45<BR>\n" );
document.write( "Value Equations: 850a+ 975b = 39875 cents<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "Multiply thru the 1st by 850 to set it up for elimination:<BR>\n" );
document.write( "850a   +  850b  = 850*45<BR>\n" );
document.write( "850a   +  975b  = 39875<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "Subtract the 1st Eq. from the 2nd so you can solve for \"b\":<BR>\n" );
document.write( "125b = 1625<BR>\n" );
document.write( "b = 13 (there are 13 of the $9.75 pens)<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "Substitute into a + b = 45 to solve for \"a\":<BR>\n" );
document.write( "a + 13 = 45<BR>\n" );
document.write( "a = 32 (there are 32 of the $8.50 pens)<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "Cheers,<BR>\n" );
document.write( "Stan H.<BR>\n" );
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