Question

There are 20 hardcover and paperback books in a box. There are 10 more hard cover books then paperback books. Right and solve a system of linear equations to find the number of paperback books and the number of hard cover books

Answer 1

let H represent hardcover
let P represent paperback

H + P = 20
H = P + 10

sub in H into the first eq’n

(P + 10) + P = 20
2P + 10 = 20
2P = 10
P = 5

sub P into eq’n 2

H + (5) = 20
H = 15

therefore there are 5 paperback books and 15 hardcover