Question

Eleanor is working her way through school. She works two part-time jobs for a total of 24 hours a week. Job A pays $5.80 per hour, and Job B pays

$7.40 per hour. How many hours did she work at each job the week that she made $158.40.

Answer 1

Explanation:

a = hours at job A

b = hours at job B

a + b = 24

a = 24 - b

5.8a + 7.4b = 158.4

note we can use the a = 24 - b identity in the second equation :

5.8×(24 - b) + 7.4b = 158.4

139.2 - 5.8b + 7.4b = 158.4

1.6b = 19.2

b = 12 hours

a = 24 - b = 24 - 12 = 12 hours

she worked 12 hours on job A and 12 hours on job B.