For a recent job an electrician earned $50 per hour, and the electricians apprentice earned $20 per hour.

Question

The electrician worked 4 hours more than the apprentice and together they earned a total of $550. How much money did each person earn? 

Answer 1

let x=# of hours the apprentice worked

let x+4=# of hours the electrician worked

$20x+$50(x+4)=$550

20x+50x+200=550

70x+200=550

70x=550-200

70x=350

x=350/70

x=5 hours

x+4=9 hours

the apprentice earned 5*$20=$100

the electrician earned 9*$50=$450

Answer 2

x = # of hours the apprentice worked

x + 4 = # of hours the electrician worked

 

multiply hours by wages per hour to get the amount each person earned

20x = amount of money the apprentice earned

50(x + 4) = amount of money the electrician worked

 

20x + 50(x + 4) = 550

20x + 50x + 200 = 550

70x = 350

x = 5

 

x + 4 = 9

 

So, the electrician worked 9 hours and earned 450

The apprecentice worked 5 hours and earned 100