Final answer:
Peter's earnings from the restaurant can be calculated using the equation Earnings = $8.50h + $10.00, where 'h' represents the hours worked each week.
Step-by-step explanation:
The situation with Peter's earnings can be represented by the equation Earnings = $8.50h + $10.00, where h represents the number of hours Peter worked. This is because he earns a fixed rate of $8.50 per hour for the time he works, plus an additional flat transportation allowance of $10.00 each week, regardless of the number of hours he works.
Using this formula, Peter's weekly earnings can be calculated for any given number of hours worked, keeping in mind that he needs to work at least 5 hours to keep the job and that he can earn up to a maximum of $350.00 each week.