Question

Set up and solve a system of equations to solve the problem.

A local boys club sold 196 bags of mulch and made a total of $552. It sold two types of mulch: hardwood
for $3.00 a bag and pine bark for $2.75 a bag. How many bags of each kind of mulch did it sell?
The boys club sold
bags of hardwood mulch and
bags of pine bark mulch.

Answer 1

552=2.75p+3h
196= p+h

let p= pine bark
h= hardwood

Subtract the second equation from the first.
356= 1.75p+2h

Set the 196= p+h in terms of h.
h= 196-p

substitute:
356= 1.75p+2(196-p)
356= 1.75p+ 392-2p
356= -0.25p+ 392
-36= -0.25p
144= p

Substitute: 196=p+h
196= 144+h
52= h

52 bags of hardwood
and 144 bags of pine bark.


Hope it helps!