In order to build a new dock at the lake place, you require fasteners like the one shown. At Stoich's Hardware, you find that you are able to purchase bolts
in packages of three for 59¢, nuts in packages of 11 for 49¢ and washers in
packages of 23 for 49¢.

a. Describe the construction of the desired fasteners using symbols
(as in a chemical equation) rather than words.

The chemical equation of this description is:

W + Bo + Nu → Fa

Explanation:

From the given information:

The description of this construction is that:

1 washer + 1 Bolt + 1 nut = 1 fastener

where:

washer symbolizes W

Bolt symbolizes Bo

Nut symbolizes Nu

Fastener symbolizes Fa

Thus, the chemical equation of this description is:

W + Bo + Nu → Fa

So, if you are able to purchase:

3  pieces of bolts in a package,

11  pieces of nuts in  a package

23 pieces of washers in a package

Then the least common multiple of 3, 11 and 23 is 759

Thus, the packages of the bolts = 759/3 = 253

the package of the nuts = 759/11 = 69

the package of the washer = 759/23 = 33