Question

You work part-time to earn money. The amount you save after working x hours is given by the equation y = 7.5x + 40. How much do you earn per hour?

Answer 1

The equation has two parts: 7.5x (where x is the number of hours you works) and 40 (a constant). $40 is the amount you has saved before you start work. You also make $7.50 for each hour you work.

The constant $40 makes this a bit tricky but it's really not once you understand what the equation is saying.

Work ⬇️⬇️⬇️

Find x (the amount saved after working) in the equation: y=7.5x+40

1. Subtract 40 from both sides.

y −40=7.5x

2. Divide both sides by 7.5.

y−40
​​ _____. =x
7.5

3. Switch sides.

y-40
x = _____
7.5