Calculating the Cost of 2 Small and 4 Large Dishes at the Restaurant
When dining out, it’s not uncommon to wonder about the cost of your meal. This becomes especially relevant when you’re ordering multiple dishes, and the prices aren’t clearly listed. In this article, we’ll explore a scenario where a restaurant charges one customer .20 for 3 small dishes and 5 large dishes, and another customer .30 for 4 small dishes and 3 large dishes. We’ll use this information to calculate the cost of 2 small and 4 large dishes. This is a great exercise in understanding how to break down costs and can be applied to a variety of situations.
Understanding the Problem
First, let’s understand the problem. We have two equations based on the information given:
- 3S + 5L = .20 (Equation 1, where S is the cost of a small dish and L is the cost of a large dish)
- 4S + 3L = .30 (Equation 2)
Our goal is to find the cost of 2 small dishes (2S) and 4 large dishes (4L).
Calculating the Cost of Dishes
To find the cost of each dish, we can use a method called substitution or elimination in algebra. Here’s how:
- Multiply Equation 1 by 3 and Equation 2 by 5.
- Subtract the second equation from the first. This will give us the cost of a small dish (S).
- Substitute S in either of the original equations to find the cost of a large dish (L).
Applying the Calculated Costs
Once we have the cost of each dish, we can calculate the cost of 2 small dishes and 4 large dishes by simply multiplying and adding:
- 2S + 4L = Total cost
Conclusion
By understanding how to break down costs and solve simple algebraic equations, we can figure out the cost of any combination of dishes at the restaurant. This not only helps us plan our meals and budget better, but also gives us a sense of satisfaction in being able to solve real-world problems using math.
Remember, the key to solving such problems is to understand the problem first, break it down into smaller, manageable parts, and then solve each part step by step. Happy dining and calculating!
