Yoko spent $117 to buy some boxes of apricot and strawberry shortbreads. Each box of apricot shortbreads cost $5 and each box of strawberry shortbreads cost $6. The apricot shortbreads were packed in boxes of 8 shortbreads each and the strawberry shortbreads were packed in boxes of 6 shortbreads each. She bought an equal number of apricot shortbreads and strawberry shortbreads.
(a) How many boxes of apricot shortbreads did she buy?
(b) How many boxes of strawberry shortbreads did she buy?
(a)
Total number of apricot shortbreads and strawberry shortbreads is the same.

LCM of 8 and 6 = 24

Number of boxes for 24 apricot shortbreads
= 24 ÷ 8
= 3

Number of boxes for 24 strawberry shortbreads
= 24 ÷ 6
= 4

1 set = 3 boxes of apricot shortbreads and 4 boxes of strawberry shortbreads

Cost of 1 set
= 3 x 5 + 4 x 6
= 15 + 24
= $39

Number of sets
= 117 ÷ 39
= 3

Boxes of apricot shortbreads
= 3 x 3
= 9

(b)
Boxes of strawberry shortbreads
= 3 x 4
= 12

Answer(s): (a) 9; (b) 12