Shiyun spent $174 to buy some boxes of banana and chocolate chip shortbreads. Each box of banana shortbreads cost $8 and each box of chocolate chip shortbreads cost $11. The banana shortbreads were packed in boxes of 10 shortbreads each and the chocolate chip shortbreads were packed in boxes of 8 shortbreads each. She bought an equal number of banana shortbreads and chocolate chip shortbreads.
(a) How many boxes of banana shortbreads did she buy?
(b) How many boxes of chocolate chip shortbreads did she buy?
(a)
Total number of banana shortbreads and chocolate chip shortbreads is the same.

LCM of 10 and 8 = 40

Number of boxes for 40 banana shortbreads
= 40 ÷ 10
= 4

Number of boxes for 40 chocolate chip shortbreads
= 40 ÷ 8
= 5

1 set = 4 boxes of banana shortbreads and 5 boxes of chocolate chip shortbreads

Cost of 1 set
= 4 x 8 + 5 x 11
= 32 + 55
= $87

Number of sets
= 174 ÷ 87
= 2

Boxes of banana shortbreads
= 2 x 4
= 8

(b)
Boxes of chocolate chip shortbreads
= 2 x 5
= 10

Answer(s): (a) 8; (b) 10