the coach and players shared the expence of the bus trip. when 5 players were unable to go, each person had to pay additional $1.50 to cover the cost of $540. How many people made the trip?

Let x is the original number of players.

540/x is the amount paid by each.

540 =((540/x)+1.5)(x-1.5).

540 =(540+1.5x)/x *(x-1.5).

540x=(540-1.5x)(x-1.5)

After simplfication we will get a quadratic equation

x^2-5x-1800 =0 by factorisation

(x+40)(x-45)=0.

x=45,-40.

take only +ve value.

x=45.

x-5 people made the trip.

so 45-5=40 people made the trip.