Question

A charity is considering the possibility of having a benefit night at two different restaurants. The owner of the local Italian restaurant has offered to make a donation of $462 and $1 per diner that night. On the other hand, the owner of the Mexican restaurant has said he could contribute $235 plus $2 per diner. Based on the number of diners who have promised to participate in the event, it appears that each restaurant would donate the same total amount. How many diners promised to participate? How much would each restaurant donate?

Answer 1

Let's assume that the number of diners at the Italian restaurant is "x" and the number of diners at the Mexican restaurant is "y". Then, we can write the following equations based on the given information:

Italian restaurant:

Donation = $462 + $1 per diner

Donation = $462 + $1x

Mexican restaurant:

Donation = $235 + $2 per diner

Donation = $235 + $2y

Since both restaurants will donate the same total amount, we can set their donations equal to each other:

$462 + $1x = $235 + $2y

Simplifying this equation, we get:

$2y - $1x = $227

We know that the number of diners has to be a whole number, so we can try different values of x and see which one gives us a whole number for y.

For example, if we try x = 200, then we can solve for y:

$2y - $1(200) = $227

$2y = $427

y = 213.5

Since y is not a whole number, we need to try a different value of x. If we try x = 250, then we get:

$2y - $1(250) = $227

$2y = $477

y = 238.5

Again, y is not a whole number, so we try another value of x. If we try x = 300, then we get:

$2y - $1(300) = $227

$2y = $527

y = 263.5

Still not a whole number, so we try x = 350:

$2y - $1(350) = $227

$2y = $577

y = 288.5

Finally, we get a whole number for y, so we have our solution:

Italian restaurant: x = 350 diners, donation = $812

Mexican restaurant: y = 289 diners, donation = $812

Therefore, 350 diners promised to participate and each restaurant would donate $812.