document.write( "<A HREF=/cgi-bin/jump-to-question.mpl?question=143385>Question 143385</A>This question is from textbook <A HREF=http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0395352495/algebrahomeworkh>algebra: structure and method: book1</A><BR>\n" );
document.write( ": <I><SPAN STYLE=\"word-break: break-all;\"> The Calculator Club bought a $54 calculator for club use. If there had been three more students, each would have had to donate 20 cents less. How many students were in the club? HELP MUCH APPRECIATED!!!! </SPAN>\n" );
document.write( "</I><HR><TABLE width=100%><TR><TD><B><A HREF=http://www.algebra.com/>Algebra.Com's</A> Answer #104395 by </B><A HREF=/tutors/aboutme.mpl?userid=ankor@dixie-net.com><B>ankor@dixie-net.com(22740)</B></A><img src=\"/images/stars/stars-13.gif\" alt=\"\" >&nbsp;<A HREF=/tutors/aboutme.mpl?userid=ankor@dixie-net.com><IMG SRC=http://www.algebra.com/images/aboutme-small.gif BORDER=0 alt=\"About Me\" VALIGN=MIDDLE></A>&nbsp;<IMG SRC=http://www.algebra.com/cgi-bin/show-face.mpl?user=ankor@dixie-net.com><BR>You can <A HREF=\"/cgi-bin/embed-solution.mpl?show=1&solution=104395\">put this solution on YOUR website!</A><BR><SPAN STYLE=\"word-break: break-all;\"> The Calculator Club bought a $54 calculator for club use. If there had been three more students, each would have had to donate 20 cents less. How many students were in the club?<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "Let x = actual no. of students<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "Actual cost per student = <IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=54%2Fx ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"54%2Fx\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" ><BR>\n" );
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document.write( "Cost with 3 more students = <IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=54%2F%28%28x%2B3%29%29 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"54%2F%28%28x%2B3%29%29\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" ><BR>\n" );
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document.write( "Actual cost - 20 cents = cost with 3 more students<BR>\n" );
document.write( "<IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=54%2Fx ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"54%2Fx\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" > - .20 = <IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=54%2F%28%28x%2B3%29%29 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"54%2F%28%28x%2B3%29%29\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" ><BR>\n" );
document.write( "Multiply equation by x(x+3), results:<BR>\n" );
document.write( "54(x+3) - .2x(x+3) = 54x<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "54x + 162 - .2x^2 - .6x = 54x<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "-.2x^2 +54x - 54x - .6x + 162 = 0<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "-.2x^2 - .6x + 162 = 0<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "Multiply equation by -5; makes coefficient of x^2 = +1<BR>\n" );
document.write( "x^2 + 3x - 810 = 0<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "Factors to:<BR>\n" );
document.write( "(x+30)(x-27) = 0<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "Positive solution:<BR>\n" );
document.write( "x = 27 students<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "Check solution by finding the costs:<BR>\n" );
document.write( "54/27 = $2.00<BR>\n" );
document.write( "54/30 = $1.80; 20 cents less </SPAN>\n" );
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