solve word problem

Question

Sue worked 44hrs one week and earned a $437 paycheck. she earned time and a half(1.5 times her regular hourly wage) for the number of hours she worked in excess of 40hrs. what is her regular hourly wage.

Answer 1

Hi, Billy!

 

Word problems can be really tough! 

 

Step 1: The first step to do is to pick out any important information that they give you.  Generally, anywhere a number is mentioned is important.  Identifying what you are solving for is also important.  Here is my summary of the information in the word problem:

 

I am using "x" to represent how much is earned per hour.

 

worked - 44hrs (40 hrs @ x pay, 4 hrs @ 1.5x pay)

earned - $437

 

Find hourly wage (Find x).

 

Step 2: Set up an equation.  Because I'm looking for a variable that is measured in dollars, I'm going to write my equation using the dollar information that I've been given.

 

$ earned @ normal pay = 40*x

$ earned @ overtime pay = 4*1.5*x = 6*x

 

$437= $ earned @ normal pay + $ earned @ overtime pay

437 = 40x + 6x

 

Step 3: Solve equation.

437 = 40x + 6x

437 = 46x

9.5 = x

 

Step 4: Write your answer in a sentence. (All word problems should have the answers written in a sentence.)

 

Sue earns $9.50 as her regular hourly wage. (or Sue earns $9.50 per hour.)

Answer 2

Let the hourly wage be =$ x

 

40(x) + 4 (1.5x) = $437

46x = $437

x = 437/46 = $9.5/hour (Answer)