Question

Amber works as a waitress at a restaurant. She earns an hourly wage and also earns tips. One night, she worked 6 hours and earned a total of $69.20, which included tips of $15.50. Explain how the equation 6w + 15.5 = 69.2 represents this situation. Then, calculate Amber’s hourly wage.

Answer 1

Answer:

Hey there!

The given equation helps us understand the relationship between Amber's tips earned and the money she earned through her hourly wage. This information will add up to equal a grand total of $69.20.

We know that Amber earns $15.50 in tips during her 6 hour shift. Therefore, this is not considered part of her wage. This would be one of the constants of our equation.

We also know that Amber earns a fixed hourly wage, but we don't know what this wage is. We need to find w.

$6w+15.5=\ 69.20$

Subtract 15.5 from both sides of the equation (and get rid of the currency symbol).

$6w=69.20-15.5\\6w=53.7$

Divide both sides of the equation by 6.

$\displaystyle \frac{6w}{6}=\frac{53.7}{6}\\\\w=8.95$

Therefore, Amber's hourly wage is $8.95.