Solve for the number of tables & how much earned.

Question

Chris is deciding between two waiting jobs. The first pays $2.15 plus tips which average to $2.50 a table. The second pays $5.25 plus tips which average to $2.15 a table. How many tables must Chris work for the pay to be the same? How much money is earned?

Answer 1

t represents the number of tables

first job, $2.15 + $2.50t

second, $5.25 + $2.15t

 

$2.15 + $2.50t = $5.25 + $2.15t

 

Can you solve for t?

Answer 2

The equation is as follows where x = number of tables served.

 

2.15+2.50x = 5.25+2.15x

 

Get all your x's on one side of the equation by subtracting 2.15x from both sides

 

2.15 + .35x = 5.25

 

Get x by itself by subtracting 2.15 from both sides

 

.35x = 3.10

 

Divide both sides by the coefficient of X

 

x = 3.10/0.35

 

x = 8.857

 

To make the same amount of money Chris must serve on average 8.857 tables

 

2.15 + 2.50(8.857) =

2.15 + 22.14 = $24.29

 

5.25 + 2.15(8.857) =

5.25 + 19.04 = $24.29