Find the average yearly salary of an individual with each of these degrees

Question

Suppose the average yearly salary of an individual whose final degree is a masters is $39 thousand less than twice that of an individual whose final degree is a bachelors. Combined, two people with each of these educational attainments earn $120 thousand. Find the average yearly of an individual with each of these final degrees.

Answer 1

Let's work the problem using just the thousands and leave the zeros off.  We'll add them back at the end.

Let M be the salary of the Master's degree, and B be the salary of the Bachelor's degree.

 

M + B = 120

M + 39 = 2B

 

M = 2B - 39

2B - 39 + B = 120

3B - 39 = 120

3B = 159

B = 53

M = 120 - B = 120 - 53 = 67

 

So a master's degree will get $67,000 and a bachelor's degree will get $53,000.