Cathy spent $344 to buy some boxes of strawberry and blueberry shortbreads. Each box of strawberry shortbreads cost $8 and each box of blueberry shortbreads cost $11. The strawberry shortbreads were packed in boxes of 12 shortbreads each and the blueberry shortbreads were packed in boxes of 5 shortbreads each. She bought an equal number of strawberry shortbreads and blueberry shortbreads.
(a) How many boxes of strawberry shortbreads did she buy?
(b) How many boxes of blueberry shortbreads did she buy?
(a)
Total number of strawberry shortbreads and blueberry shortbreads is the same.

LCM of 12 and 5 = 60

Number of boxes for 60 strawberry shortbreads
= 60 ÷ 12
= 5

Number of boxes for 60 blueberry shortbreads
= 60 ÷ 5
= 12

1 set = 5 boxes of strawberry shortbreads and 12 boxes of blueberry shortbreads

Cost of 1 set
= 5 x 8 + 12 x 11
= 40 + 132
= $172

Number of sets
= 344 ÷ 172
= 2

Boxes of strawberry shortbreads
= 2 x 5
= 10

(b)
Boxes of blueberry shortbreads
= 2 x 12
= 24

Answer(s): (a) 10; (b) 24