Homework Help: algebra I

Posted by Brittani on Thursday, January 15, 2009 at 11:57pm.

System of Equations

I need help with the following problem:

A youth group with 26 members is going skiing. Each of the five chaperones will drive a van or a sedan. The vans can seat 7 people and the sedans can seat five people. How many of each type of vehicle could transport all 31 people to the ski area in one trip?

I used the following equation:

7x + 5y = 31. (x= van, y=sedan)
7x=31-5y.
I divdied by 7 on both sides.
x=31-5y/7.

This is where I got stuck. What am I doing wrong?

algebra I - DrBob222, Friday, January 16, 2009 at 12:12am
You have only one equation. You need another.
x + y = 5 (vans + sedans = 5)
Next, you make an error in your last statement.
7x=31-5y so
x = (31-5y)/7
However, I would do it an easier way unless your teacher told you to solve by substitution. I would solve by elimination.
x+y=5
7x+5y=31
===============
Multiply top equation by 7
7x+7y=35
7x+5y=31
===========
Now subtract equation 2 from equation 1 to obtain
2y=4 with y = 2, then solve for x.

Answer this Question

Related Questions

Algebra 2 - I need help with this problem because I do not have a graphing ...
Algebra - Suppose a linear system of equations has 2012 equations and 2013 ...
algebra - Can someone please help. When you solve a system of equations by the ...
Math - 2. Three members of a 12 person singing group are going to be chosen to ...
math - Consider the following system of equations. Y = 3x – 7 Y - 3x = 5 a...
Math (probability) - Three members of a 12 person singing group are going to be ...
algebra - Solve the system of equations by graphing then classify the system 4x+...
algebra - Can someone please help. Explain how you can determine from the graph ...
algebra - solve the system of equations by graphing. Then classify the system as...
alegebra - Solve the system of equations by graphing. Then classift the system ...

For Further Reading

First Name:
School Subject:
Answer: