[plt-scheme] HtDP > Chapter 2 > Exercise 2.3.3.

So you're working on a problem that is mentioned *before* the idea of  
program design has been introduced into the book.

1. It's supposed to convince you that programming properly isn't  
easy, despite all the books on "programming idiots" and "dummies for  
programming" you can find in local book stores or mother's blogs for  
programming.

2. In the next edition, we won't be indirect. We'll just say what we  
said for 1.

3. For now, I recommend the following:

-- forget Scheme
-- write down a table like this: 

  # of customers : 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 10 | 100 | 200 |  n
--------------------------------------------------------
  total profit   :   |   |   |   |    |     |     |

Fill out all the slots for concrete numbers. Once you get the hang of  
it, fill out the entry for n. Then -- and only then -- translate into  
Scheme.

The problem has very little to do with programming, but is all about  
learning to read problem statements. Holler if you have problems with  
the table.

-- Matthias


On Jun 26, 2008, at 6:30 PM, Mr. Watson wrote:

> Hello,
>
> The problem says,
>
> "An old-style movie theater has a simple profit function. Each
> customer pays $5 per ticket. Every performance costs the theater $20,
> plus $.50 per attendee. Develop the function total-profit. It consumes
> the number of attendees (of a show) and produces how much income the
> attendees produce."
>
> I understand the problem but I cannot get it to work (not calculate
> correctly) in DrScheme.
>
> Here is my working progress:
>
> (define(total-profit attendee)
>   (- 0
>    (- 20 0
>     (* 0.5 attendee)
>     (+ 0
>      (* 5 attendee)))))
>
> Any ideas on what I am doing wrong? I might be miscalculating so tell
> me if its right.
>
> Thank you,
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