Final answer:
The alternative expression that also represents the weekly earnings of a machine operator working h hours is 24h + (160 - 4h). This adjusts for an increased hourly wage while maintaining the total earnings consistent with those calculated by the original expression, reflecting strategies about labor and machinery costs.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question asks for an alternative expression to represent the weekly earnings of a machine operator who earns a certain amount per hour, plus a weekly bonus. Given the expression 20h + 160, which calculates the total earnings by multiplying the number of hours worked (h) by the hourly wage ($20) and adding a fixed bonus ($160), another expression that can serve the same purpose would be 24h + (160 - 4h). This alternative expression takes into account a hypothetical wage increase to $24 per hour, and adjusts the bonus accordingly so that the total earnings remain consistent with the original expression.
The bonus adjustment offsets the increased hourly wage by subtracting $4 for each hour worked from the original bonus amount, maintaining the same total earnings. This calculation reflects the relationship between labor costs and productivity when factoring in changes to wages or compensations, as exemplified in scenarios where wages increase and firms may respond by investing in more productive machinery that potentially reduces the need for labor hours. The key takeaway from the provided table, which details the cost of labor and machinery at a new wage rate, is that companies often need to balance higher wages against the cost and output of labor, leading to changes in employment and production strategies.