culinary math question

Question

you are serving 3 different entrees at a party you're catering. if 100 guests are having beef, 175 guests are having pasta, and 45 percent of guests are having chicken, how many guests are expected at this party?

Answer 1

The problem specifies a count of 100+175 and the rest is 45% of the total.  There are only 3 entrees, so this is everybody!

 

Let x = total number of guests

 

100 + 175 + (45%)(x) = x         [note:  45% = 45/100 = 0.45 as needed]

100 + 175 + 0.45x = x

10000 + 17500 + 45x = 100x           [multiply everything by 100 to get rid of decimal]

27500 = 55x

  500 = x