How much did she earn (in dollars) from her job at the college?

Question

Erica earned a total of $66,950 last year from her two jobs. The amount she earned from her job at the store was $1,350 more than three times the amount she earned from her job at the college.

Answer 1

Write a system of equations using the information.

x = earnings from store

y = earnings from college

total earnings equation: 66950 = x + y

store was 1350 more than college: x = y + 1350

Now solve the system using graphing, substitution, or elimination. Substitution is the most practical to use because x is already alone in the second equation. Substitute y + 1350 for x in the first equation.

66950 = y + 1350 + y

Solve for y

66950 = 2y + 1350

65600 = 2y

y = 32800

Since the task was to find her earnings from college (y), you are done. Erica earned $32,800 from her job at college.