Mathematics
Mathematics
Problem
A hardware store sells 3 litre cans of paint for €36 and 5 litre cans of paint for €48. In one day the store sells 71 litres of paint worth a total of €768. How many cans of paint did the store sell?Intuitive explanation
This is a system of equations problem where you need to track two quantities simultaneously: the number of each can size. Set up one equation for the total volume (3x + 5y = 71) and another for total revenue (36x + 48y = 768), where x and y represent the number of 3-litre and 5-litre cans. Then solve by substitution or elimination to find both unknowns—the answer is the sum x + y.
Intuitive explanation
This is a system of equations problem where you need to track two quantities simultaneously: the number of each can size. Set up one equation for the total volume (3x + 5y = 71) and another for total revenue (36x + 48y = 768), where x and y represent the number of 3-litre and 5-litre cans. Then solve by substitution or elimination to find both unknowns—the answer is the sum x + y.