Question 542900
Like most word problems, the key is figuring what problem you are setting up.  And that means figuring out what your variables are.
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Let r = the base wage rate in $/hr
Let w = # weekly hrs worked up to 40
Let s = # Sunday hrs worked
Let o = # other overtime hrs worked
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Given:
multiplier for w hrs = 1.0
multiplier for o hrs = 1.5
multiplier for s hrs = 2.0
w + o + s = 50
s = 4
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deduce:
if w + o + s > 40, then w = 40
if w = 40 and s = 4, then o = 6
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solve for r:
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1.0r * w + 1.5r * o + 2.0r * s = 342
substitute in the values we deduced for w, o, and s:
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1.0r (40) + 1.5r (6) + 2.0r (4) = 342
simplify by combining like terms:
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40r + 9r + 8r = 342
57r = 342
r = 342/57
r = $6.00/hr
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cheers,
Lee