Question 540794
Start by turning the words into equations. "A woman earns 15% more than her husband." What does that mean in numbers? It means she makes 115% of what he does.
{{{W=1.15*H}}}
Part 2 of the problem. "Together they make $69,875." Stated another way, when you add his and her salary together, it equals 69,875. How can you turn that into an equation?
{{{W+H=69875}}}
Then you need to solve for either the wife's or husband's salary, and use that answer to figure out what the other made. We do this by substituting 1 equation into the other. Since we already know what W equals, let's plug it in and see what happens:
{{{W+H=69875}}}
{{{1.15H+H=69875}}}
{{{2.15H=69875}}}
{{{H=32500}}}
So we know he makes $32,500 per year. 1 down, 1 to go. Now just pick a formula and subsitute in $32,500 for H. It doesn't matter which one you pick, you'll get the same answer.
{{{W+H=69875}}}
{{{W+32500=69875}}}
{{{W=69875-32500=37375}}}
or using the other one
{{{W=1.15*H}}}
{{{W=1.15*32500=37375}}}
Either way, you now have the two salaries. He makes $32,500 and she makes $37,375.