Ms. Patel spent $34 to buy a total of 10 packs of M&Ms and paper clips for her students. If the M&M bags were $3 and the paper clips were $4, how many of each did she buy?

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Answer 1 · 2018-06-22T22:31:35

Use the elimination method to solve for the variables

First set up your equations with the information you're given:

#3x + 4y = 34 " "# (money spent)
#x + y = 10" "# (number of packs)

Multiply the second line by #-3# in order to cancel out the #x# term.

#-3x - 3y = -30#

Now add the equations together (the #x# terms cancel out)

#3x - 3x + 4y - 3y = 34 - 30#

#y = 34 - 30#

#y = 4#

Now plug this value into the original equation to get your #x# value

#x = 10 - y#

#x = 10 - 4#

#x = 6#

DOUBLE CHECK:

#3(6) + 4(4) #

#= 18 + 16#

#= 34#