Stream of consciousness rationale: Writing out the full year uses 4 numbers so this takes 4 numbers * 6 fireworks per number = 24 fireworks. “HAPPY NEW YEAR” contains 12 letters so this takes 12 letters * 5 fireworks per letter = 60 fireworks. There is therefore a total of 24 + 60 = 84 fireworks lit at the start of the display. From the boxes, they lit another 50 boxes * 8 fireworks per box = 400 fireworks. So in total, the whole display uses 84 + 400 = 484 fireworks.
The question and answer pair are described below.
Q: A town is holding a fireworks display for New Year’s Eve. They light enough fireworks to show the full year then light enough fireworks to write “HAPPY NEW YEAR” in the sky. They then light another 50 boxes of fireworks as part of the display. Each box of fireworks contains 8 fireworks. If it takes 6 fireworks to display a number and 5 fireworks to display a letter, how many fireworks are lit during the display?
A: 484