Answer: $1,314.40
===============================================================
Step-by-step explanation:
Assuming there are 324 seats available for the 324 students, this means that 324*5.60 = 1,814.40 dollars is earned in revenue from ticket sales.
Let x be the cost of equipment, lighting, and costumes combined.
The expression 1814.40 - x represents the profit made. It's the amount of money left after the bills are paid, so to speak. Or you could say profit = revenue - cost.
The committee wants $500 remaining, so they want 1814.40 - x to be equal to 500.
Let's solve for x
1814.40 - x = 500
-x = 500-1814.40
-x = -1314.40
x = 1314.40
So if $1,314.40 is spent on equipment, lighting, and costumes combined, then the committee will have $500 left over. If they spend less on those items, then the profit is more than $500. This means that $1,314.40 is the most they can spend.