Question

Two science classes got to go to an amusement park. Counting the students and the chaperones, there were 54 people that went to the park, for a total cost of $367.50. Adult tickets cost $8.00 and student tickets cost $6.50.

Answer 1

43 students and 11 chaperones

Explanation:

Let a = number of chaperones or adults

Let s = number of students

1) We could set up two equations and solve them simultaneously using the substitution or the elimination method.

s + a = 54

8a + 6.50s = 367.50

I choose the substitution method.

2) Solve for s or y. I choose s.

a = 54 - s

8(54 - s) + 6.50s = 367.50

--------------------------------------

432 - 8s + 6.50s = 367.50

432 - 1.50s = 367.50

-1.50s = 367.50 - 432

-1.50s = -64.50

s =
`(-64.50)/(-1.50)`

s = 43

3) Substitute the result into one of the two equations above. I choose the first one.

43 + a = 54

a = 54 - 43

a = 11