# Thread: this problem is killing me b/c not enough information is possible answer

1. ## this problem is killing me b/c not enough information is possible answer

Movie theatre

2013
number of people attending = x1
avg ticket price = y1
2013 revenues x1*y1 = 30.6Million

2014
number of people attending = x2
avg ticket price = y2
2014 revenues x2* y2 = 28Million

Revenue difference Difference 2014 -2013 =- 2.6 million
avg ticket price decreased 1.2% in 2014 which contributed 340,000 to the 2.6 M decline
attendance declined 7.1 in 2014 from 2013

Solve for x1 and x2

Thanks all for the help -- my brain is fried trying to solve this so I know 2 equations 2 unknowns but if you could help w/ the calculation I would be eternally grateful

2. ## Re: this problem is killing me b/c not enough information is possible answer

The first thing to recognize is that you have FOUR unknowns and so need four equations. This easiest way to see this is not to use subscripts.

$x_1 = p =$ people attending during 2013.

$y_1 = q=$ average ticket price during 2013.

$x_2 = r=$ people attending during 2014.

$y_2 = s =$ average ticket price during 2014.

Now what symbols are used to represent unknowns makes no real difference, but if you are not used to subscripted symbols, this should make it very clear that you are dealing with four distinct unknowns.

So you need four equations to solve it. Using p, q, r, and s, what are those four equations? If you can't get them all, which can you get?

HINT What is the relationship between p and r? How about q and s?

3. ## Re: this problem is killing me b/c not enough information is possible answer

P* q = 30.6 m
R*S= 28 m
. I don't think there's enough info. If you get an answer please let me know .

4. ## Re: this problem is killing me b/c not enough information is possible answer

Originally Posted by JeffM
The first thing to recognize is that you have FOUR unknowns and so need four equations. This easiest way to see this is not to use subscripts.

$x_1 = p =$ people attending during 2013.

$y_1 = q=$ average ticket price during 2013.

$x_2 = r=$ people attending during 2014.

$y_2 = s =$ average ticket price during 2014.

Now what symbols are used to represent unknowns makes no real difference, but if you are not used to subscripted symbols, this should make it very clear that you are dealing with four distinct unknowns.

So you need four equations to solve it. Using p, q, r, and s, what are those four equations? If you can't get them all, which can you get?

HINT What is the relationship between p and r? How about q and s?
why can't you say

$y2 = (1-1.2\%)y1$

$x2 = (1-7.1\%)x1$