Question

An electrician charges a service call fee of $60 plus $55 per hour. Another electrician charges a service call fee of $20 plus $65 per hour. Set up and solve an equation to determine the number of hours, h, for which the cost would be the same for hiring both electricians.

Answer 1

By setting up an equation where the total costs for both electricians are equal and solving for h, we find that the number of hours for which the costs are the same is 4 hours.

Step-by-step explanation:

To determine the number of hours, h, for which the cost would be the same for hiring both electricians, we set up an equation where both cost expressions are equal. The equation, which expresses the total cost for each electrician's services, is:

First electrician: Cost = $60 + $55h

Second electrician: Cost = $20 + $65h

We now equate the two expressions and solve for h:

$60 + $55h = $20 + $65h

$55h - $65h = $20 - $60

-$10h = -$40

Divide each side by -10: h = 4

Thus, the number of hours for which the costs are the same is 4 hours.