Answer: 20 people
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Step-by-step explanation:
x = number of people
Without the discount, each person pays $72, so the total cost is 72x dollars if x people go through the gate individually.
Now applying the group discount, those x people pay 72-25 = 47 dollars each. Meaning the total cost is now 47x. Keep in mind that
in order for the discount to kick in.
Subtracting the two amounts leads to 72x-47x = 25x. It is not a coincidence that we get a coefficient of 25 here.
Set this equal to 500 and solve for x
25x = 500
x = 500/25
x = 20
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If x = 20 people attend individually, then they pay 72*x = 72*20 = 1440 dollars.
If 20 people go as one group, they pay 47x = 47*20 = 940 dollars
We have a savings of 1440-940 = 500 dollars. This confirms the answer.
All 20 people must go as one group if they want to save $500.