A high school band held a bake sale. The number of cupcakes sold was five more than three times the number of cookies sold. The band sold a total of 53 cupcakes and cookies. How many cupcakes were sold?
Let's assume the number of cookies sold is x.
According to the information given, the number of cupcakes sold is 5 more than three times the number of cookies sold, so:
Number of cupcakes = 3x + 5
Total number of cupcakes and cookies sold = 53
Therefore, we can write the equation:
3x + 5 + x = 53
Combining like terms gives:
4x + 5 = 53
Subtracting 5 from both sides gives:
4x = 48
Dividing by 4 gives:
x = 12
So, the number of cookies sold is 12.
Now, we can find the number of cupcakes sold:
Number of cupcakes = 3(12) + 5
Number of cupcakes = 36 + 5
Number of cupcakes = 41
Therefore, 41 cupcakes were sold.