A total of

548

tickets were sold for the school play. They were either adult tickets or student tickets. The number of student tickets sold was three times the number of adult tickets sold. How many adult tickets were sold?

Let x = adult tickets

Now, we know that student tickets was sold 3 times more. So it's 3x

In total, 548 tickets were sold, student tickets + adult tickets = 548

3x + x = 548

4x = 548

x = 548/4

x = 137. The number of adult tickets sold was 137

Ok, so say that x represents the number of adult tickets. the number of student tickets sold is three times the amount of adult tickets, so 3x. the sum of adult tickets and student tickets equals 548. try to make an equation out of that.

x + 3x = 548

solve for x and you'll have your answer.