finding normal rate of pay

Question

John earns 1.4 times his normal hourly rate for each hour he works over 30 hours. Last week he worked 35 hours and earned $436.60. What is John's normal hourly

Answer 1

Define John's normal hourly pay rate as "x" and set up the following equation:

30*x + 5*1.4*x = $436.60   (the 5 hours over his original 30 are paid at 1.4*x)

Now solve for x: 30x + 7*x = 37*x = $436.60

Divide both sides by 37: x = $11.80

 

John's normal hourly pay rate is $11.80