Question

Rita and Tina each make $11 an hour working as cashiers at a supermarket. Last week, Rita worked r hours while Tina worked t hours. Rita also worked overtime hours during the week, for which she was paid an extra $32 flat wage. Which expressions represent the total weekly wages of both Rita and Tina?

Rita and Tina's total weekly wages can be represented as , , or

Answer 1

As the price per hour worked is $11, then 11 is the coefficient (or multiplier) of the number of hours Rita and Tina had worked. As for Rita, she will receive an extra $32 flat wage for her total overtime hours, so it will not be multiplied any further. Expressing their total wages mathematically:

Rita's total wages = 11r + 32

Tina's total wages = 11t

Answer 2

Answer: Rita and Tina's total weekly wages can be represented as 11r + 32 + 11t or 11( r + t ) + 32

Explanation:

Since, For Rita,

Charges per hour = $ 11

Working time = r hours,

Overtime charges for a week = $ 32,

Thus, her weekly charges = 11 r + 32

Now, For Tina,

Charges per hour = $ 11

Working time = t hours,

Thus, her weekly charges = 11 t

Hence, the combined weekly wages of both Rita and Tina = 11 r + 32 + 11 t

= 11( r + t ) + 32

Which is the required expression.