Question

A couple has a total household income of $84,000. The husband earns $18,000 less than twice what the wife earns. How much does the wife earn? Select the correct answer below:

Answer 1

$34000

Explanation:

We can set up a systems of equations, assuming
`h` is the husbands income and
`w` is the wife's income.

h + w = 84000

h = 2w - 18000

We can substitute h into the equation as 2w - 18000:

(2w - 18000) + w = 84000

Combine like terms:

3w - 18000 = 84000

Add 18000 to both sides

3w = 102000

And divide both sides by 3

w = 34000

Now that we know how much the wife earns, we can also find out how much the husband earns by substituting into the equation.

h + 34000 = 84000

h = 50000

Hope this helped!