<PRE><B>Question 948811</B>
The first day, a contractor hired 11 carpenters, 3 masons, and 5 helpers.
 The second day, he hired 6 carpenters, 5 masons, and 2 helpers.
 The third day, he hired 5 carpenters, 3 masons, and 3 helpers.
 If his payroll was 194 the first day, 137 the second day, and 112 the third day,
 how much did he pay each mason a day?
:
Write an equation for each day
11c + 3m + 5h =194
6c + 5m + 2h = 137
5c + 3m + 3h = 112
:
Multiply the first equation by -1, write the equations as follows
-11c - 3m - 5h =-194
6c + 5m + 2h = 137
5c + 3m + 3h = 112
--------------------Adding eliminates c and h
0 + 5m + 0 = 55
m = 55/5
m = $11 a day for masons</PRE>