document.write( "Question 891813: Hi is there a way of working out how many 3 course meals and 2 course meals (single courses must be calculated as a three course) from the value of starters, mains and desserts given to a table?\r
\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "For example, a table has 10 starters, 12 mains and 8 desserts, is there an equation that can be used to calculate how many 2 course and 3 course options were given at the table?\r
\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "I hope this makes sense and that it is possible.\r
\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "Thanks
\n" ); document.write( "Simon
\n" ); document.write( "

Algebra.Com's Answer #540050 by richwmiller(17219)\"\" \"About 
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
What is included in a two course meal?
\n" ); document.write( "starts and main?
\n" ); document.write( "main and dessert?
\n" ); document.write( "Under these circumstances we have three unknowns and three equations
\n" ); document.write( "w= three course
\n" ); document.write( "x= starters and main
\n" ); document.write( "y= main and dessert\r
\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "w+x+0*y=10
\n" ); document.write( "w+0*x+y=8
\n" ); document.write( "w+x+y=12\r
\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "1,1,0,10
\n" ); document.write( "1,0,1,8
\n" ); document.write( "1,1,1,12\r
\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "add down (-1/1) *row 1 to row 2
\n" ); document.write( "1,1,0,10
\n" ); document.write( "0,-1,1,-2
\n" ); document.write( "1,1,1,12\r
\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "add down (-1/1) *row 1 to row 3
\n" ); document.write( "1,1,0,10
\n" ); document.write( "0,-1,1,-2
\n" ); document.write( "0,0,1,2\r
\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "divide row 2 by -1/1
\n" ); document.write( "1,1,0,10
\n" ); document.write( "0,1,-1,2
\n" ); document.write( "0,0,1,2\r
\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "add down (0/1) *row 2 to row 3
\n" ); document.write( "1,1,0,10
\n" ); document.write( "0,1,-1,2
\n" ); document.write( "0,0,1,2\r
\n" ); document.write( "
\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "We now have the value for the last variable.
\n" ); document.write( "We will work our way up and get the other solutions.\r
\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "add up (1/1) *row 3 to row 2
\n" ); document.write( "1,1,0,10
\n" ); document.write( "0,1,0,4
\n" ); document.write( "0,0,1,2\r
\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "add up (0/1) *row 3 to row 1
\n" ); document.write( "1,1,0,10
\n" ); document.write( "0,1,0,4
\n" ); document.write( "0,0,1,2\r
\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "add up (-1/1) *row 2 to row 1
\n" ); document.write( "1,0,0,6
\n" ); document.write( "0,1,0,4
\n" ); document.write( "0,0,1,2\r
\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "final
\n" ); document.write( "1,0,0,6
\n" ); document.write( "0,1,0,4
\n" ); document.write( "0,0,1,2\r
\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "6 three course
\n" ); document.write( "4 starters and main
\n" ); document.write( "2 main and dessert
\n" ); document.write( "10 starters
\n" ); document.write( "12 main
\n" ); document.write( "8 dessert\r
\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "\"6\",\"4\",\"2\"
\n" ); document.write( "(6,4,2)
\n" ); document.write( "
\n" ); document.write( "
\n" );