Question 627720
Let x = number of pens in a single box


So each box has x pens in it.


Note: The pens are all red. So I'm just refer to them as "pens" instead of "red pens"


They ordered 6 boxes. So they have 6x pens total. Remember that 6x means "6 times x"


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We're told that "The store sold 32 red pens last week and 35 red pens this week". 


So we know that they sold 32+35 = 67 pens so far


So they start with 6x pens and sell 67 pens. This leaves them with 6x-67 pens.


But we're also told that "Five pens were left on the shelf"


So we can say


6x - 67 = 5


since these two amounts represent what's left over.


Now solve for x



6x - 67 = 5


6x - 67+67 = 5+67 ... Add 67 to both sides


6x = 72 ... Add


6x/6 = 72/6 ... Divide both sides by 6 to isolate x


x = <font color="red">12</font> ... Divide


So there are <font color="red">12</font> pens in each box.



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