Question

Suzy makes 20 dollars an hour at her job. Bill only makes 10 dollars an hour but he has a starting bonus of 20. When will Suzy and Bill make the same amount of money for the same number of hours worked? How much will they both earn at the same time?

Answer 1

2 hours

Suzy would earn $40

Bill will earn $40

they will both earn $80

Explanation:

The total amount suzy earns is a function of the total hours worked. Let t represent time

total income of suzy = $20t eqn 1

Bill's income = starting bonus + variable pay

= $20 + $10t

We are looking for when they would earn the same amount :

20t = $20 + $10t eqn 2

collect like terms and solve for t

10t = $20

t = 2 hours

Substitute for t in either eqn 1 or 2

20(2) = $40

Suzy would earn $40

Bill will earn $40

they will both earn $80