16Hit1600
AlgebraHardChoosing the system that models a situation

Algebra practice question

Two large candles and three small candles cost $16 together, and a large candle costs $3 more than a small one. If L is the price of a large candle and S the price of a small one, which system represents this?

  1. A. 2L + 3S = 16 and L = S + 3Correct
  2. B. 2L + 3S = 16 and S = L + 3
  3. C. 3L + 2S = 16 and L = S + 3
  4. D. 2L + 3S = 16 and L + S = 3

Answer: A. 2L + 3S = 16 and L = S + 3

Two large and three small: 2L + 3S = 16. Large is $3 more than small: L = S + 3. (Solution: L = 5, S = 2.)

Why the other answers are wrong

B. 2L + 3S = 16 and S = L + 3
S = L + 3 makes the SMALL candle dearer.
C. 3L + 2S = 16 and L = S + 3
3L + 2S swaps the counts.
D. 2L + 3S = 16 and L + S = 3
L + S = 3 misreads the $3 difference as a sum.

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