Linear Equations? summer campers and camp fees

[sskilgore]

I'm having problems setting up the equation.
Determine the linear equation that will represent the number of children who will enroll at a given fee.

The director of a summer day camp estimates that 100 children will join if the camp fee is $250, but for each $20 decrease in the fee, ten more children will enroll.

Can someone help?

Thank you,
sskilgore

 

[stapel]

The director of a summer day camp estimates that 100 children will join if the camp fee is $250, but for each $20 decrease in the fee, ten more children will enroll.

If you're not sure, then try working with numbers, until you see a pattern! :idea:

0 decreases: 100         kids

1 decrease:  100 +   10  kids

2 decreases: 100 + 2(10) kids

3 decreases: 100 + 3(10) kids

...and so forth. Once you see a pattern, figure out what should be represented by a variable, define the variable, and write your equation. :wink:

Eliz.

 

[jwpaine]

Re: Linear Equations?

I'm having problems setting up the equation.
Determine the linear equation that will represent the number of children who will enroll at a given fee.

The director of a summer day camp estimates that 100 children will join if the camp fee is $250, but for each $20 decrease in the fee, ten more children will enroll.

Can someone help?

Thank you,
sskilgore

I like to think of it in terms of a graph:

point a = (100, 250), point b = (110,230)

the slope of a line passing through each point is: (230-250)/(110-100) = -1/2

with point slope:
people - 100 = (-1/2)(fare - 250)

Solve for people

 

[sskilgore]

Thank you so much! Sometimes I get stumped right at the start of a problem...thanks again!

sskilgore