Question 698228
Let {{{ a }}} = hrs Mark worked
Let {{{ b }}} = hrs Verna worked
{{{ 8.5a + 10b = 126.75 }}}
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There are 2 unknowns and only 1 equation, so
it's not directly solvable, but an extra clue is that
the {{{ 8.5 }}} must get multiplied by {{{ 1.5 }}},
{{{ 3.5 }}}, {{{ 5.5 }}}, etc up to {{{ 13.5 }}}
Suppose Mark works {{{ 13.5 }}} hrs
{{{ 8.5*13.5 =  114.75 }}}
{{{ 126.75 - 114.75 = 12 }}}
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If he works {{{ 11.5 }}} hrs
{{{ 8.5*11.5 = 97.75 }}}
{{{ 126.75 - 97.75 = 29 }}}
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If he works {{{ 9.5 }}} hrs
{{{ 8.5*9.5 = 80.75 }}}
{{{ 126.75 - 80.75 = 46 }}}
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If he works {{{ 5.5 }}} hrs
{{{ 8.5*5.5 = 46.75 }}}
{{{ 126.75 - 46.75 = 80 }}}
This works
Mark works 5.5 hrs and Verna works 8 hrs
check:
{{{ 8.5*5.5 + 10*8 = 46.75 + 80 }}}
{{{ 46.75 + 80 = 126.75 }}}