Expert: Bobby Soltani - 4/7/2005

Question
My son is in the 4th grade. I think this problem is an algebra problem but I think a number is missing. I know how to do simple equations but this one is stumping me.

Two people bought tickets for a play. One ticket was three times more than the other. The total was 36 bucks. What was the price of the two tix?

The answer of course is $9 & $27 but how can you get to that with only the info given?

Answer
Hi Rick,

You need to set up two equations.  Let the first ticket be x and the second be y.

We know that the total is 36, so x + y = 36.  That is the first equation. The second equation is

x = 3y

now, plug x = 3y into the first equation and solve.

Let me know if you have any questions.

Bobby