document.write( "Question 206564: I need help making a system of equations based on a word problem, here is the problem:\"At the hardware store, Leslie bought 2 boxes of nails and 3 boxes of screws and paid $13.95 before tax. Michael bought 4 boxes of nails and 1 box of screws and paid $12.15 before tax. Find the cost of a box of nails and the cost of a box of screws. \n" ); document.write( "
Algebra.Com's Answer #156108 by stanbon(75887)\"\" \"About 
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At the hardware store, Leslie bought 2 boxes of nails and 3 boxes of screws and paid $13.95 before tax. Michael bought 4 boxes of nails and 1 box of screws and paid $12.15 before tax. Find the cost of a box of nails and the cost of a box of screws.
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\n" ); document.write( "Equations:
\n" ); document.write( "2n + 3s = 1395 cents
\n" ); document.write( "4n + s = 1215 cents
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\n" ); document.write( "Multiply thru the 1st equation by 2:
\n" ); document.write( "4n + 6s = 2790
\n" ); document.write( "---
\n" ); document.write( "Subtract the 2nd equation from this modified 1st equation:
\n" ); document.write( "5s = 1575
\n" ); document.write( "s = 315 cents = $3.15 (price of a box of screws)
\n" ); document.write( "---
\n" ); document.write( "Substitute to solve for \"n\"
\n" ); document.write( "4n + 315 = 1215
\n" ); document.write( "4n = 900
\n" ); document.write( "n = 225 = $2.25 (price of a box of nails)
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\n" ); document.write( "Cheers,
\n" ); document.write( "Stan H. \n" ); document.write( "
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