Gabby spent $243 to buy some boxes of cherry and apricot cupcakes. Each box of cherry cupcakes cost $5 and each box of apricot cupcakes cost $7. The cherry cupcakes were packed in boxes of 8 cupcakes each and the apricot cupcakes were packed in boxes of 5 cupcakes each. She bought an equal number of cherry cupcakes and apricot cupcakes.
(a) How many boxes of cherry cupcakes did she buy?
(b) How many boxes of apricot cupcakes did she buy?
(a)
Total number of cherry cupcakes and apricot cupcakes is the same.

LCM of 8 and 5 = 40

Number of boxes for 40 cherry cupcakes
= 40 ÷ 8
= 5

Number of boxes for 40 apricot cupcakes
= 40 ÷ 5
= 8

1 set = 5 boxes of cherry cupcakes and 8 boxes of apricot cupcakes

Cost of 1 set
= 5 x 5 + 8 x 7
= 25 + 56
= $81

Number of sets
= 243 ÷ 81
= 3

Boxes of cherry cupcakes
= 3 x 5
= 15

(b)
Boxes of apricot cupcakes
= 3 x 8
= 24

Answer(s): (a) 15; (b) 24