Question

Type the answers in the boxes below.

Answer 1

Let m and h represent hours Mai spends mowing and hauling, respectively. Then (m+h) will be the number of hours Priya spends babysitting. In order for their earnings to be equal, we must have  

 7m +14h = 8.40(m+h)

 Subtract 7m+8.40h:  5.60h = 1.40m

 Divide by 1.40:  m = 4h

Then the total number of hours worked by either person is

 m + h = (4h) +h = 5h

When only whole numbers of hours are worked, the smallest number of hours that will make earnings equal is 5h, with h=1, or 5 hours. In that time, each will earn 5×$8.40 = $42.

Therefore, each of them must work 5 hours and earn $42 before they go to the movies and Mai will work 4 hours mowing and 1 hour hauling.

Answer 2

Answer: they worked 11 hours in total. (Mai works 6 hours and Priya works 5 hours) they will have earned $98. Without adding the extra $14 it’s $84.