# Algebra I Word Problem

• Jan 15th 2009, 04:13 PM
Stoic
Algebra I Word Problem
My son is doing an Algebra I course and has come across an issue with a word problem. I used to excell at math, but apparently that knowledge has begun to slip my mind. Anyhow, here's the problem and any assistance would be appreciated.

Solve each problem using the two given facts.

1. Find the number of full 8 hour shifts that Maria worked last month.

(1) She worked twice as many 6 hour shifts as 8 hour shifts.
(2) She worked a total of 280 hours.
• Jan 15th 2009, 04:50 PM
Last_Singularity
Quote:

Originally Posted by Stoic
My son is doing an Algebra I course and has come across an issue with a word problem. I used to excell at math, but apparently that knowledge has begun to slip my mind. Anyhow, here's the problem and any assistance would be appreciated.

Solve each problem using the two given facts.

1. Find the number of full 8 hour shifts that Maria worked last month.

(1) She worked twice as many 6 hour shifts as 8 hour shifts.
(2) She worked a total of 280 hours.

Denote $x$ to be the number of 6-hour shifts that she worked and $y$ to be the number of 8-hour shifts that she worked.

From the facts that you gave us, we know:
(1) $x = 2y$
(2) $6x+8y = 280$

So then plugging (1) into (2), we get:
$6(2y) + 8y = 20y = 280$

Solve for $y$ from there
• Jan 15th 2009, 04:53 PM
repcvt
Quote:

Originally Posted by Stoic
My son is doing an Algebra I course and has come across an issue with a word problem. I used to excell at math, but apparently that knowledge has begun to slip my mind. Anyhow, here's the problem and any assistance would be appreciated.

Solve each problem using the two given facts.

1. Find the number of full 8 hour shifts that Maria worked last month.

(1) She worked twice as many 6 hour shifts as 8 hour shifts.
(2) She worked a total of 280 hours.

Suppose ,the number of full 8 hour shifts that Maria worked last month is x.(x is a positive integer)

so using the fact (1) , worked hours of 6 hour shifts is 2x

using the fact (2),2x*6+x*8=280.

so U can solve it.
• Jan 16th 2009, 08:41 AM
Stoic
Thank you very much. Hopefully he will be able to figure out the rest of his lesson or I can help him with it.

Thanks again.
• Jan 17th 2009, 02:29 AM
repcvt
Quote:

Originally Posted by Stoic
Thank you very much. Hopefully he will be able to figure out the rest of his lesson or I can help him with it.

Thanks again.

Welcome ,:).