Question

Problem PageQuestion A theater group made appearances in two cities. The hotel charge before tax in the second city was $1500 lower than in the first. The tax in the first city was 10%, and the tax in the second city was 8%. The total hotel tax paid for the two cities was $825. How much was the hotel charge in each city before tax?

Answer 1

the hotel charge in the first city is $5250 while the hotel charge in the second city is $3750

Explanation:

Let a represent the charge in the first city before tax and b represent the charge in the second city before tax.

Therefore tax in first city = 10% of a = 0.1a

Tax in second city = 8% of b = 0.08b

From the total tax as $825, hence:

0.1a + 0.08b = 825 (1)

The hotel charge before tax in the second city was $1500 lower than in the first. This gives the equation:

b = a - 1500

a - b = 1500 (2)

To find a and b, solve equation 1 and 2 simultaneously. Multiply equation 2 by 0.1 and subtract from equation 1:

0.18b = 675

b = $3750

a = b + 1500 = 3750 + 1500 = 5250

a = $5250

Therefore, the hotel charge in the first city is $5250 while the hotel charge in the second city is $3750