Answer:
It will take them 20 years to make the same salary
Step-by-step explanation:
Let us solve the question
Assume that they will have the same salary after x years
∵ Alex makes $30,000 a year at his job
∵ He gets a $2,500 a year raise every year
∵ He will work x years
→ That means his salary is the sum of a fixed amount and the raise times x
∴ His salary = 30000 + 2500(x) ⇒ (1)
∵ Sydney makes $40,000 a year
∵ He gets a $2,000 raise every year
∵ He will work x years
→ That means his salary is the sum of a fixed amount and the raise times x
∴ His salary = 40000 + 2000(x) ⇒ (2)
∵ They will make the same salary after x years
→ Equate (1) and (2)
∴ 30000 + 2500x = 40000 + 2000 x
→ Subtract 30000 from both sides
∴ 2500x = 2000x + 10000
→ Subtract 2000x from both sides
∴ 500x = 10000
→ Divide both sides by 500
∴ x = 20
∴ It will take them 20 years to make the same salary