GED Math Help: percents

To rent a hall for a party reception (for 1 evening) costs $225. The Hall is also charging $25.50 per adult and $19.95 per child for the meal and reception. Gratuity is 15% of total costs. If 125 adults and 32 children attending the party, what is the total cost.... including gratuity?

Answer: Set up the problem as follows:

First part: (cost of hall + (cost of adult meal)(number of adults attending)+ (cost of child meal)(number of children attending)
Second part: 15% of (cost of hall + (cost of adult meal)(number of adults attending)+ (cost of child meal)(number of children attending)
.
Find the answers to part one and two, and then add them together.
.
Part one- hall and meals: $225 + (125 x $25.50) + (32 x $19.95) = $4050.90.
Part two- gratutity: .15 x $4050.90 = $607.34
.
Total cost: $4050.90 + $607.34 = $4658.24

Have you recently held a reception? How did you calculate costs?

Did you know.....

• is, is equal to, equals, the same MEANS =
  
• of, the product, times, multiple, multiplied by MEANS x or ∙
  
• add, more than, plus, sum, increased by, added to, more MEANS +
  
• subtract, less than, minus, difference, decreased by, less MEANS -
  
• divide, divided by, the quotient MEANS ÷
  
• double, twice, twice as much MEANS 2x or 2 ∙
  
• half, half of, half as much MEANS ½ x or ½ ∙
  

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