# Help with difficult math problem please

Printable View

• July 27th 2009, 06:50 PM
Pax1
Help with difficult math problem please
I forgot how to work problems like this. Please show me how to work it if you can.

Ryan makes \$3.00 per hour more than Scott. If three times Ryan's rate plus four times Scott's rate is \$65.00, then what is Ryan's hourly wage?
• July 27th 2009, 06:55 PM
VonNemo19
Quote:

Originally Posted by Pax1
I forgot how to work problems like this. Please show me how to work it if you can.

Ryan makes \$3.00 per hour more than Scott. If three times Ryan's rate plus four times Scott's rate is \$65.00, then what is Ryan's hourly wage?

Let Ryan's wage be $r=(s+3)$, where $s$ is scott's wage.

Then $3(r)+4(s)=65$.

Can you take it from here?
• July 27th 2009, 11:01 PM
bananaxxx
Have a look at the substitution method on this page Simultaneous equations - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Si
• July 28th 2009, 02:11 AM
HallsofIvy
Another way to do that: Let "s" be Scott's hourly wage. Since "Ryan makes \$3.00 per hour more than Scott", Ryan's hourly wage is s+ 3.

Now "three times Ryan's rate plus four times Scott's rate is \$65.00" becomes 3(s+3)+ 4s= 65 or 3s+ 9+ 4s= 7s+ 9= 65.
• July 28th 2009, 02:43 AM
Joel
Hi Pax1,

I would make this a simple simultaneous equation with my working as follows:

(1) r = 3 + s Ryan makes \$3.00 per hour more than Scott

(2) 3r + 4s = 65 three times Ryan's rate plus four times Scott's rate is \$65.00

Using the value of r in number (1) being 3 + s.... substitute this into (2)..

(2) 3r + 4s = 65 ........... 3 (3 + s) + 4s = 65 .......... 9 + 3s + 4s = 65 ......... 9 + 7s = 65 ......... 7s = 56 ..........s = 8

This means Scott makes \$8 an hour

Ryan makes \$3 more than Scott per hour so Ryan makes \$11.

Always check that it fits into the equations given:

(1) r = 3 + s .............. \$11 = \$3 + \$8 correct

(2) 3r + 4s = 65 ......... 3(\$11) + 4(\$8) = \$65 ............ \$33 + \$32 = \$65 correct.

Hope this helps to check against your working
• July 28th 2009, 06:38 PM
Pax1
Thank you all for your help. How do I post thanks?
• July 28th 2009, 06:48 PM
VonNemo19
Quote:

Originally Posted by Pax1
Thank you all for your help. How do I post thanks?

Click the "thanks" button in the lower right hand corner of the post of the person you wish to thank.
• July 29th 2009, 09:22 AM
Pax1
Quote:

Originally Posted by VonNemo19
Click the "thanks" button in the lower right hand corner of the post of the person you wish to thank.

I don't see it.