Question

Two mechanics worked on a car. The first mechanic worked for 10 hours, and the second mechanic worked for 5 hours. Together they charged a total of $1525. What was the rate charged per hour by each mechanic if the sum of the two rates was $200 per hour

Answer 1

Answer: the first mechanic charged $105 per hour and the second mechanic charged $95 per hour.

Step-by-step explanation:

Let x represent the the rate charged per hour by the first mechanic.

Let y represent the the rate charged per hour by the second mechanic.

The first mechanic worked for 10 hours, and the second mechanic worked for 5 hours. Together they charged a total of $1525. This means that

10x + 5y = 1525- - - - - - - - -1

if the sum of the two rates was $200 per hour, it means that

x + y = 200

Substituting x = 200 - y into equation 1, it becomes

10(200 - y) + 5y = 1525

2000 - 10y + 5y = 1525

- 10y + 5y = 1525 - 2000

- 5y = - 475

y = - 475/ - 5

y = 95

x = 200 - y = 200 - 95

x = 105