document.write( "<A HREF=/cgi-bin/jump-to-question.mpl?question=1162659>Question 1162659</A>: <I><SPAN STYLE=\"word-break: break-all;\"> The Extreme Rock Climbing Club planned a climbing expedition.  The total cost was $1600, which was to be divided equally among the members going.  Prior to the trip, 15 members decided not to go.  If the cost per person increased by $24, how many people went on the expedition? </SPAN>\n" );
document.write( "</I><HR><TABLE width=100%><TR><TD><B><A HREF=http://www.algebra.com/>Algebra.Com's</A> Answer #786495 by </B><A HREF=/tutors/aboutme.mpl?userid=greenestamps><B>greenestamps(13200)</B></A><img src=\"/images/stars/stars-13.gif\" alt=\"\" >&nbsp;<A HREF=/tutors/aboutme.mpl?userid=greenestamps><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=greenestamps><BR>You can <A HREF=\"/cgi-bin/embed-solution.mpl?show=1&solution=786495\">put this solution on YOUR website!</A><BR><SPAN STYLE=\"word-break: break-all;\"> <br><BR>\n" );
document.write( "Especially if this is a problem from a beginning algebra class, then you should know how to set up and solve the problem using formal algebra.<br><BR>\n" );
document.write( "However, the whole problem can be solved mentally, if an algebraic solution is not required, and if you are good with mental arithmetic.<br><BR>\n" );
document.write( "You only need to find two ways to write 1600 as the product of two positive integers which satisfy the conditions of the problem.<br><BR>\n" );
document.write( "The first four pairs that I find are these:<br><BR>\n" );
document.write( "40 * 40 = 1600<BR>\n" );
document.write( "80 * 20 = 1600<BR>\n" );
document.write( "64 * 25 = 1600<BR>\n" );
document.write( "32 * 50 = 1600<br><BR>\n" );
document.write( "You are looking for any two numbers in that list that differ by 24; 64 and 40 satisfy that requirement.  And the corresponding numbers 40 and 25 differ by 15, which satisfies the other condition.  So these are the numbers you are looking for.<br><BR>\n" );
document.write( "ANSWER:<br><BR>\n" );
document.write( "Originally, 40 members were going to go, paying $40 each.  When 15 members backed out, 25 members paid $64 each -- an increase of $24.<br><BR>\n" );
document.write( " </SPAN>\n" );
document.write( "</TD></TR></TABLE>\n" );