Write a system of equations to describe the situation below, solve using substitution, and fill in the blanks.
Jim works in the shipping department of a toy factory that makes radio-controlled
helicopters. Small helicopters weigh 3 pounds each, and are shipped in a container that
weighs 18 pounds. Large ones, on the other hand, weigh 5 pounds apiece, and are shipped in
a container that weighs 12 pounds. If these boxes can hold a certain number of helicopters
each, all of the packed containers will have the same shipping weight. How many helicopters
would fit in either container? What would the total weight be?
helicopters, it will weigh a total of
pounds once it is
If either container holds
packed for shipping.