x = # of balcony seats
y = # of orchestra seats
We have to create a system of equations to solve this problem
x + y = 256
$8x + $12y = $2,716
We will solve this system of equations by elimination.
Multiply the first equation by -8
-8x - 8y = -2048
8x + 12y = 2716
Let's add the equations together
0 + 4y = 668
Simplify the left side
4y = 668
Divide both sides by 4
y = 167
We can subtract 167 from 257 to get the number of balcony seats.
257 - 167 = 90 balcony seats
There are 167 orchestra seats and 90 balcony seats
