A star is written to show multiplication. It is a replacement for a dot or a x which is what you probably learned to be the "times" sign. In upper level maths, the "x" is replaced with a " * " to make it more legible and to avoid confusion with the variable "x".
Answer: 
<u>Simplify both sides of the equation</u>

<u>Subtract 5n from both sides</u>

<u>Subtract 15 from both sides</u>

P(n)=news time/total time
We are told that the news is 14 minutes long during an hour so
p(n)=14/60
p(n)=7/30
C. Wich mean she worked 5 hours and half an hour (0.5)