Question 731595:  When the circus came to town last year, they hired general labors at $70 per day and mechanics at $90 per day. They paid $1950 foe this temporary help for one day. This year they hired exactly the same number of people of each type, but they paid $80 for general labors and $100 for mechanics for one day. This year they paid $2200 for temporary help. How many general laborers did they hire? How many mechanics did they hire? 
 Answer by ankor@dixie-net.com(22740)      (Show Source): 
You can  put this solution on YOUR website! When the circus came to town last year, they hired general labors 
 at $70 per day and mechanics at $90 per day. 
 They paid $1950 for this temporary help for one day. 
 This year they hired exactly the same number of people of each type, 
 but they paid $80 for general labors and $100 for mechanics for one day. 
 This year they paid $2200 for temporary help. 
 How many general laborers did they hire? 
How many mechanics did they hire? 
: 
Let g = no. of general laborers 
Let m = no. of mechanics 
: 
Write an equation for each year 
70g + 90m = 1950 
simplify, divide by 10 
7g + 9m = 195 
: 
and this year: 
80g + 100m = 2200 
simplify, divide by 20 
4g + 5m = 110 
: 
multiply the 1st simplified equation by 4, the 2nd by 7 
28g + 36m = 780 
28g + 35m = 770 
------------------subtraction eliminates g, find m 
1m = 10 mechanics 
then 
4g + 5(10) = 110 
4g = 110 - 50 
4g = 60 
g = 60/4 
g = 15 gen laborers.  
: 
; 
Check solutions in the 1st original equation 
70g + 90m = 1950 
g=15; m=10 
70(15) + 90(10) =  
1050 + 900 = 1950; confirms our solutions 
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