Question

Your yard is a mess, and you decide to hire a landscaper. The greenhouse charges a $20 consultation fee plus $11 per hour for the actual work. Garden pros does not charge a consulting fee, but charges $15 per hour for the actual work. Write an equation that will help you determine the # of hours at which the 2 companies charge the same. Clearly indicate what the variable represents.

Answer 1

• 5 hours

Explanation:

Let the hours of actual work be x and total charge be y.

The greenhouse

Total amount of charge is:

• y = 11x + 20

Garden pros

Total amount of charge is:

• y = 15x

Since y is same for both companies, set the equation and solve for x:

• 11x + 20 = 15x
• 15x - 11x = 20
• 4x = 20
• x = 20/4
• x = 5