Expert: Chanda Walker - 2/4/2009

Question
Ace hardware sells wrenches for ($86) and hammers for ($300).  Ordered were 45 cartons total.  $9200 was spent in total.  how much was spent on each hammers and wrenches?

I came up with the equation 86w+300h = 9200, but I'm not sure how to fit the 45 cartons into an equation.

Answer
The equations is poorly written in my opinion.  I think what it is trying to say is that CARTONS of wrenches sell for $86 and CARTONS of hammers for $300.


With that assumption being made . . .

w is the # of cartons of wrenches
h is the # of cartons of hammers

w+ h = 45
86w + 300h = 9200


so

h = 45 - w

86w + 300(45 - w) = 9200
86w + 13500 - 300w = 9200
4300 = 214w
w = 4300/214
w = 2150/107

h = 45 - 2150/107
h = 2665/107

You need to convert that to a proper fraction or a decimal, whichever is most appropriate for what you are learning.