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Word problems on linear equations sheet
3-mark answer frame

A shop in Surat sells sarees and dupattas at fixed prices (example prices). Ramesh buys 2 sarees and 3 dupattas for ₹ 2700. Suma buys 3 sarees and 2 dupattas for ₹ 3300. Find the price of one saree and of one dupatta.

How to lay out the answer. Follow the frame, then write it in your own words.

  1. 1 · Write what is given and what is to be found. Let one saree cost ₹ x and one dupatta cost ₹ y.
  2. 2 · Form the equations.
    • 2x + 3y = 2700 ... (1)
    • 3x + 2y = 3300 ... (2)
  3. 3 · Add and subtract (swapped coefficients).
    • Adding: 5x + 5y = 6000, so x + y = 1200 ... (3)
    • (2) − (1): x − y = 600 ... (4)
  4. 4 · Solve. Adding (3) and (4): 2x = 1800, so x = 900. Then y = 1200 − 900 = 300.
  5. 5 · Say what it means. One saree costs ₹ 900 and one dupatta costs ₹ 300.
  6. 6 · Check and box the answer. Ramesh: 1800 + 900 = ₹ 2700. Suma: 2700 + 600 = ₹ 3300. Therefore saree ₹ 900, dupatta ₹ 300.

Scoring tip: Write the 'Let' line with units first. It earns a mark on its own and stops you mixing up x and y.