Final answer:
Mary will need to spend 12 hours writing this week to have a total of 13 pages, as determined by solving the equation p = h + 1 for h when p is 13.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question you have asked pertains to solving a basic algebraic equation to find the number of hours Mary will need to spend writing to complete a total of 13 pages. The equation given is p = h + 1, where p represents the total number of pages written and h stands for the number of hours spent writing.
Plug in the value of p (total pages) into the equation: 13 = h + 1.
Subtract 1 from both sides of the equation to solve for h: 13 - 1 = h.
Calculate the value of h, which is the number of hours: h = 12.
Therefore, Mary will need to spend 12 hours writing this week to have a total of 13 pages.