Word problem that I cannot figure out

Question

If a building contractor hires 6

day laborers and 2

concrete finishers
,
his payroll for the day is $1386
.
If he hires 1 day laborer and 4

concrete finishers, his daily cost is $891
.
Find the daily wage for each type of worker. Solve the problem using matrices.

Answer 1

A fairly straightforward system of two linear equations.

 

Let x = daily pay rate of day laborers & y = daily pay rate of concrete finishers.

 

6x + 2y = 1386

x + 4y = 891.

 

There's your system. Solve according to directions!