Math problem help. ?

Question

A family of 4 comes to the amusement park. There are two adults and two children (under the age of 11). They qualify for a special family rate of $155.80. The clerk tells them that a child's ticket always costs $8 less than an adult's ticket. How much is each adult ticket and how much is each child's ticket?

1. Define your variables. You want to work things out so that you only have one variable in an equation. Hint: Let a = adult ticket price. In other words, you must be able to define the price of a child's ticket in terms of the adult ticket price.

Child's ticket price in the family plan = ?

2. Write one equation using the variables above that shows the total of the family of four equaling $155.80.

There are two adults and two children. Write and solve the equation make sure to show all of your work.

Answer: Adult ticket price is $ _________ and Child’s ticket price is $ ___________.

Answer 1

1. a = adult ticket price

    c = child ticket price

    c = a - $8

2. $155.80 = 2a + 2(a - $8)

explanation: total price = 2 adult tickets + 2 kid tickets

to solve:

155.80 = 2a + 2(a - $8)

155.80 = 2a + 2a- 16

171.80 = 4a

42.95 = a

therefore, an adult ticket = $42.9

and a kids ticket = 42.95 - 8 = $34.95

Answer 2

Let a = adult ticket price. a-8 = child price.

so, a +a + (a-8) + (a-8) =$155.80

Simplify: 2a+2a-16= $155.80

4a - 16 =$155.80

4a = $155.80 + 16 = $171.80

a = $171.80 / 4 = $42.95

a-8 = 34.95.

Adult price= $42.95

Child price= 34.95.

Check the math - it works.

Hope this helps.