An office manager reported that he spent $350 on gifts for employees. He said that $240 was spent on clothing with each man receiving a $20 T-shirt and each woman receiving a $40 sweatshirt. He said that $110 was spent on desk accessories with each man receiving a $5 calendar and each woman receiving a $15 stapler. If m equals the number of men and wequals the number of women, the system of equations that represents the expenses is as follows:

Question

m+2w=12
m+3w=22

Solve the system, showing all steps, and then discuss the reasonableness of the answer.

I don't know what I am supposed to do on this question, i'm not sure if they are talking about the m+2w=12 system or the If m equals the number of men and w equals the number of women, the system of equations that represents the expenses is as follows. Its just very confusing to me (probably because I am stupid)

Answer 1

(I am Reiny , but not using my regular IP address)

This is a poorly worded question, so you are not stupid.
1st equation: 20m + 40w = 240
divided each term by 20
m + 2w = 12
2nd equation : 5m + 15w = 110
divide each term by 5
m + 3w = 22

now subtract them,
w = 10
back into m + 2w = 12
10 + 2w = 12
2w =
w = 1

there were 10 men and 1 woman

Answer 2

thx Reiny2

Answer 3

Thx Reiny2 !!