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AlgebraVery hardMaximum heavy boxes under a weight limit

Algebra practice question

A van will carry exactly 35 boxes, each weighing either 12 kilograms or 20 kilograms, and the total weight must not exceed 600 kilograms. What is the greatest possible number of 20-kilogram boxes?

Answer: 22

With h heavy boxes: 12(35 − h) + 20h ≤ 600, so 420 + 8h ≤ 600 and h ≤ 22.5 — at most 22 heavy boxes (total 596 kg).

Common wrong answers

If you answered 23
23 heavy boxes weigh 604 kg with the light ones — over the 600 kg limit.
If you answered 30
The cap is 600 kg, not 35 boxes alone: solve 420 + 8h ≤ 600.
If you answered 22.5
Boxes come whole; round 22.5 down.

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