Lets solve it using a system of equations, c is the price of crayons and p the price of reams of paper, so we have: 1c + 5p = 54 5c + 3p = 50 those equations represent the situation. Lets solve the system multiplying the first equation by -5 and adding it to the second, we have: -5c - 25p = -270 <span> 5c + 3p = 50 </span>--------------------- 0 - 22p = - 220 22p = 220 p = 10 and now substitute in the original equation: <span>1c + 5p = 54 </span><span>1c + 5(10) = 54 </span>c = 4