Answer:
The number of hours Hong should trim trees in order to earn more than $60 is greater than 9 hours.
Explanation:
Let h be the number of hours Hong could trim trees.
According to the given information, Hong charges $7 per hour for trimming trees and pays $3 in equipment fees.
Therefore, the amount Hong earns from trimming trees can be calculated by multiplying the hourly rate by the number of hours and subtracting the equipment fees:
Amount earned = 7h - 3
We are told that Hong wants to earn more than $60. Hence, we can set up the following inequality:
7h - 3 > 60
Simplifying the inequality:
7h - 3 > 60
7h - 3 + 3 > 60 + 3
7h > 63
7h ÷7 > 63 ÷ 7
h > 9
Therefore, the number of hours Hong could trim trees must be greater than 9.
So any value of h that is greater than 9 will allow Hong to earn more than $60 after deducting the equipment fees.