<PRE><B>Question 953733</B>



x = number of hours
y = number of tables.


general equation is 5x + 4.50y = 296.


that means 5 dollars per hour times the number of hours plus 4.50 per table times the number of tables is equal to 296 dollars.


since she worked 25 hours, then replace x with 25 and the equation becomes:


5*25 + 4.50y = 296


simplify to get:


125 + 4.50y = 296


subtract 125 from both sides of the equation to get:


4.50y = 296 - 125 which simplifies to 4.50y = 171.


divide both sides of this equation by 4.5 to get:


y = 171 / 4.5 which becomes y = 38


she would have to wait on 38 tables to make 296 dollars.


5 * 25 + 4.5 * 38 = 296


solution is confirmed.


number of tables she would have to wait on are 38 in a 5 hours period of time.


</PRE>