math word problem

Question

Average movie prices in the United States​ are, in​ general, lower than in other countries. It would cost

​$80.67 to buy three tickets in Japan plus two tickets in Switzerland. Three tickets in Switzerland plus two tickets in Japan would cost $76.13. How much does an average movie ticket cost in each of these​ countries?

Answer 1

First, set up two equations setting the total cost equal to the tickets multiplied by the unknown ticket prices using variables:

80.67 = 3j + 2s

76.13 = 2j + 3s

Solve one equation for one of the variables in terms of the other variable:

76.13 = 2j + 3s

2j = 76.13 - 3s

j = (76.13-3s)/2

Plug this in for j in the other equation:

80.67 = 3j + 2s

80.67 = 3(76.13-3s)/2

Now, solve for s and that is your price for Switzerland per ticket. Then, plug that value for s into any of the previous equations and solve for j. That will be your price for Japan.