Question

Help please with algebra problem

Answer 1

Number of weekend minutes used: x
Number of weekday minutes used: y

This month Nick was billed for 643 minutes:
(1) x+y=643

The charge for these minutes was $35.44
Telephone company charges $0.04 per minute for weekend calls (x)
and $0.08 per minute for calls made on weekdays (y)
(2) 0.04x+0.08y=35.44

We have a system of 2 equations and 2 unkowns:
(1) x+y=643
(2) 0.04x+0.08y=35.44

Using the method of substitution
Isolating x from the first equation:
(1) x+y-y=643-y
(3) x=643-y

Replacing x by 643-y in the second equation
(2) 0.04x+0.08y=35.44
0.04(643-y)+0.08y=35.44
25.72-0.04y+0.08y=35.44
0.04y+25.72=35.44

Solving for y:
0.04y+25.72-25.72=35.44-25.72
0.04y=9.72

Dividing both sides of the equation by 0.04:
0.04y/0.04=9.72/0.04
y=243

Replacing y by 243 in the equation (3)
(3) x=643-y
x=643-243
x=400


Answers:
The number of weekends minutes used was 400
The number of weekdays minutes used was 243