Two hundred tickets for the school play were sold. Tickets cost $2 for students and $3 for adults. The total amount collected $490. How many student tickets were sold?

To solve this problem, we can set up a system of equations. Let's define the variables:

Let's assume the number of student tickets sold is 's'.
Let's assume the number of adult tickets sold is 'a'.

According to the information given:
The number of student tickets sold plus the number of adult tickets sold is equal to the total number of tickets sold: s + a = 200 (equation 1)
The total amount collected from student tickets plus the total amount collected from adult tickets is equal to the total amount collected: 2s + 3a = 490 (equation 2)

To solve this system of equations, we can use the substitution method or the elimination method. Let's use the substitution method:

Step 1: Solve equation 1 for 's':
s = 200 - a

Step 2: Substitute the value of 's' in equation 2:
2(200 - a) + 3a = 490

Step 3: Simplify and solve for 'a':
400 - 2a + 3a = 490
400 + a = 490
a = 490 - 400
a = 90

Step 4: Substitute the value of 'a' back into equation 1 to find the value of 's':
s + 90 = 200
s = 200 - 90
s = 110

Therefore, 110 student tickets were sold.

Solve these two simultaneous equations:

S + A = 200
2S + 3A = 490

Try subtracting
2S + 2A = 400 from the second equation.
(I doubled the first equation)

That will leave you with A = 90 adult tickets sold.

Now finish the problem.