Question

The total cost of a catered meal for the Armstrong family reunion was to be split equally by the 20 people who came. Before the meal started, five more Armstrong's unexpectedly appeared. The total cost was shared equally among the 25 people, and so each person in the original group owed $4 less. What was the total cost of the catered meal?

Answer 1

$400

Explanation:

Let the initial total cost be represented = $X.

Hence, for 20 family members

= $ x/20 each .......1

Now that they are 25 members

= $x/25 each.......2

Each in the original group which is equation 1 owed $4 less.

That is,

x/20 - 4 ........ 3

Now equate 2 and 3

X/20 - 4/1 = X/25

Taking the LCM of both sides

X-80/20 = X/25

Cross multiply both sides

25( x-80 ) = 20x

25x-2000 = 20x

Collecting like terms

25x-20x = 2000

5x = 2000

Divide through by 5

X = 2000/5

X = 400

The total cost for the catered meal is $400.

To check if it was correct

Put 400 into equation 1 and 2 and then minus whatever you get from each other, you will get $4

From equation 1

400/20 = $20

From equation 2

400/25 =$16

$20-$16 = $4

Thanks