Final answer:
A table reflecting Susan's work hours, earnings, government support, and total income shows that the assistance program may dampen her incentive to work up until her earnings exceed her government benefits, as her total income doesn't increase despite more hours worked.
Step-by-step explanation:
The student's question asks us to create a table that demonstrates the relationship between the hours worked by Susan, a single mother, her earnings, government support, and her total income, considering a reduction in government support corresponding to her income. Considering Susan earns $8 per hour and can work up to 1,800 hours per year, with a $16,000 government benefit that reduces by $1 for every $1 she earns, we can construct a table to show these relationships.
For example, if Susan chooses to work 0 hours, she would earn $0 from work, her government support would be the maximum of $16,000, and thus her total income would also be $16,000. If Susan works 1,000 hours, her earnings would be $8,000, her government support would reduce by $8,000 ($16,000 - $8,000), and thus her total income would still be $16,000.
This system of reduced government support leads to a situation where Susan does not see an increase in total income until her earnings from work surpass the initial government assistance. This assistance program may impact her incentive to work until that crossover point, while also considering the opportunity costs, such as time with her children or potential childcare expenses, which may further influence her decision.