Thread: A bicycle question

Peter agreed to work after school for 8 weeks at a fixed weekly rate. But instead of being given only money, he was to be given $85 and a bicycle. However, Peter worked only 5 weeks at the fixed weekly rate and was given $25 and the bicycle. How much was the bicycle worth?

-- I saw somewhere the answer is $75 but not sure how to get that.

-- originally i took the $85 and divided by 8 weeks, and that gave me $10.62

-- then i took the 5 weeks and multiplied it by $10.62

-- that gave me 53.12

-- thought about minusing $25 from that... but am totally STUMPED.

p.s. yes, I know I am bad @ math!

Thanks for reading!

Originally Posted by ronaldj

Peter agreed to work after school for 8 weeks at a fixed weekly rate. But instead of being given only money, he was to be given $85 and a bicycle. However, Peter worked only 5 weeks at the fixed weekly rate and was given $25 and the bicycle. How much was the bicycle worth?

-- I saw somewhere the answer is $75 but not sure how to get that.

-- originally i took the $85 and divided by 8 weeks, and that gave me $10.62

-- then i took the 5 weeks and multiplied it by $10.62

-- that gave me 53.12

-- thought about minusing $25 from that... but am totally STUMPED.

p.s. yes, I know I am bad @ math!

Thanks for reading!

Let w denote the money for work in 1 week and b the price of the bicycle.

Then you know (talking about money only!):



Solve this system of equations for w and b

Spoiler:

I've got w = $20 and b = $75

for your explanation and I LOVE the spoiler!! A nice way to do that part for the answer.

No wonder you are a Super Member!

Thanks again for your help.

...or use fact that you can use weekly rates:
(b + 85) / 8 = (b + 25) / 5
solve: b = 75