algebra word problem

Question

Miranda worked two part-time jobs last week. The first job paid $8 an hour, and the second job paid $11 an hour. She worked a total of 23 hours last week and earned $208. How many hours did Miranda work at the first job?

Answer 1

let job1 = number of hours worked in the first job and job2 =  number of hours worked in the second job 

 

job1 + job2 = 23

8 * job1 +11* job2 =208

 

Solve first equation for job1 = 23 - job2

 

substitute job1 into second equation

 

8 * (23-job2) + 11 * job2 = 208

184 - 8 * job2 + 11 * job2 = 208

 

3 * job2 = 24

job2  = 8 

 

then job1 = 23-8 = 15

 

So Miranda works 15 hours at her first job and 8 hours at her second job