Question a-mach

1.3 Linear Equations in Two Variables - Writing equations from data/points
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A machine makes large boxes or small boxes, one at a time, for a total of 700 minutes each day. It takes the machine 10 minutes to make a large box or 5 minutes to make a small box. Which equation represents the possible number of large boxes, x , and small boxes, y , the machine can make each day?

A.

5x+10y=700

B.

10x+5y=700

C.

x+y10+5=700

D.

10+x5+y=700

A machine makes large boxes or small boxes, one at a time, for a total of

Medium-difficulty · SAT Math · Linear Equations in Two Variables — Writing equations from data/points. Read the question above, select your answer, and check the full explanation below to understand exactly why the correct choice works.

Answer explanation

Choice B is correct. It’s given that it takes the machine 10 minutes to make a large box. It's also given that x represents the possible number of large boxes the machine can make each day. Multiplying 10 by x gives 10 x , which represents the amount of time spent making large boxes. It’s given that it takes the machine 5 minutes to make a small box. It's also given that y represents the possible number of small boxes the machine can make each day. Multiplying 5 by y gives 5 y , which represents the amount of time spent making small boxes. Combining the amount of time spent making x large boxes and y small boxes yields 10 x + 5 y . It’s given that the machine makes boxes for a total of 700 minutes each day. Therefore 10 x + 5 y = 700 represents the possible number of large boxes, x , and small boxes, y , the machine can make each day.

Choice A is incorrect and may result from associating the time of 10 minutes with small, rather than large, boxes and the time of 5 minutes with large, rather than small, boxes.

Choice C is incorrect and may result from conceptual errors.

Choice D is incorrect and may result from conceptual errors.