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Write a system of equations to describe the situation below, solve using substitution, and fill in the blanks.\newlineThe freshman and sophomore classes at Arcadia High School are decorating floats for homecoming. The freshmen have already spent $117\$117 on their float, plus they need to buy floral sheeting that costs $87\$87 per roll. The sophomores, who have spent $180\$180 so far on theirs, still need to purchase vinyl grass at $78\$78 per roll. Both classes plan to buy the same number of rolls, since they have the same area to cover. By coincidence, the two floats will have the same total cost in the end. How much will each class spend in total? How many rolls will each class be buying?\newlineThe two classes will have each spend $\$_____ in total by buying _____ rolls.

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Q. Write a system of equations to describe the situation below, solve using substitution, and fill in the blanks.\newlineThe freshman and sophomore classes at Arcadia High School are decorating floats for homecoming. The freshmen have already spent $117\$117 on their float, plus they need to buy floral sheeting that costs $87\$87 per roll. The sophomores, who have spent $180\$180 so far on theirs, still need to purchase vinyl grass at $78\$78 per roll. Both classes plan to buy the same number of rolls, since they have the same area to cover. By coincidence, the two floats will have the same total cost in the end. How much will each class spend in total? How many rolls will each class be buying?\newlineThe two classes will have each spend $\$_____ in total by buying _____ rolls.
  1. Define Variables: Let's define the variables.\newlineLet xx be the number of rolls each class will buy.\newlineLet yy be the total amount of money each class will spend.\newlineFreshmen's cost equation: y=87x+117y = 87x + 117\newlineSophomores' cost equation: y=78x+180y = 78x + 180
  2. Set Up Equations: Set up the system of equations.\newlineFreshmen: y=87x+117y = 87x + 117\newlineSophomores: y=78x+180y = 78x + 180
  3. Substitution to Solve: Use substitution to solve for xx. Since both yy's represent the total cost and they are equal, we can set the equations equal to each other: 87x+117=78x+18087x + 117 = 78x + 180
  4. Solve for x: Solve for x.\newline87x+117=78x+18087x + 117 = 78x + 180\newline87x78x=18011787x - 78x = 180 - 117\newline9x=639x = 63\newlinex=639x = \frac{63}{9}\newlinex=7x = 7
  5. Solve for y: Use the value of xx to solve for yy. We can use either of the original equations to find yy. Let's use the freshmen's equation: y=87x+117y = 87x + 117 y=87(7)+117y = 87(7) + 117 y=609+117y = 609 + 117 y=726y = 726
  6. Check Solution: Check the solution with the sophomores' equation.\newliney=78x+180y = 78x + 180\newliney=78(7)+180y = 78(7) + 180\newliney=546+180y = 546 + 180\newliney=726y = 726\newlineSince the result is the same, our solution is correct.

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