Real-Life Math -- Solution
First you need to determine the number of guests that were in the club lounge for breakfast, lunch and dinner. The equations look like this:
Breakfast:
27 + 44 = 71
Lunch:
34 + 38 = 72
Dinner
58 + 21 = 79
Then you need to determine the dollar amount of alcohol sold at breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The equations look like this:
Breakfast:
$21 + $33 = $54
Lunch:
$250 + $295 = $545
Dinner:
$560 + $185 = $745
Finally, you need to determine the average amount of money spent on alcohol, per person, at all 3 meals. The equations look like this: total alcohol purchased / number of people = average money spent per person on alcohol
Therefore, the equation reads as:
$54 / 71 people = $0.76
This is the average amount spent on alcohol per person at breakfast.
$545 / 72 people = $7.57
This is the average amount spent on alcohol per person at lunch.
$745 / 79 people = $9.43
This is the average amount spent on alcohol per person at dinner.
These types of calculations would be common for hotel butlers to solve. This is a real-life scenario for Tim McDonald, head butler for a hotel. "I have to know several different formulas," says McDonald. "And if you don't know the formulas, it can be a nightmare."
Because McDonald is responsible for managing the club lounge, he has to keep a close eye on how many guests use the lounge, how much money is spent on alcohol and food, and what times are busiest.
Knowing this information helps McDonald to schedule staff and budget for food purchases. These types of duties, along with providing personal services to guests, are common in a hotel butler's job.