Question

Calvin and Melvin are two of Santa's elves. The number of toys they build is given by 11c+8m where c is the number of candy canes Calvin eats for breakfast and m is the number of candy canes Melvin eats for breakfast.
How many toys do they build when Calvin eats 5 candy canes and Melvin eats 3 candy canes for breakfast?

Answer 1

Just substitute  c=5  (Calvin's candy canes)  and m=3  (Melvin's candy canes)

11c + 8m = 11*5 + 8*3 = 55 + 24 = 79

They built 79 toys

Answer 2

Well, since C stands for 5 and m stands for 3, it is time to substitute.

11c + 8m

(11)(5)+(8)(3)

=55+(8)(3)

=55+24

=79