Melinda earns $152 less per week then Barbra. The combined income of these two people is $400 per week. How much per week does each person earn.
I need some help on this problem If im correct I multiply 2 times $152 then divide by 400?
Let B = Barbra
B + B - 152 = 400
2B = 552
B = 276
So Barbara earns $276 and that's the answer? I also need to find out how much melinda earns. So I assume I then subtract 276 from 400?
My answer for melinda she earns $124 after you subtract 276 from 152 because 124 +152=276
Right.
To solve this problem, let's assign variables to the unknown quantities.
Let's call Barbra's earnings per week "B" and Melinda's earnings per week "M". It is given that Melinda earns $152 less per week than Barbra, so we can write the equation: M = B - 152.
The combined income of both people is $400 per week, so we can write another equation: B + M = 400.
Now, we have a system of two equations:
M = B - 152
B + M = 400
To solve this system of equations, we can use the method of substitution.
From the first equation, M = B - 152, we can substitute this expression for M in the second equation: B + (B - 152) = 400.
Simplifying, we have: 2B - 152 = 400.
Adding 152 to both sides of the equation, we get: 2B = 552.
Dividing both sides by 2, we find: B = 276.
Now, we can substitute the value of B back into the first equation to find M: M = 276 - 152 = 124.
Therefore, Barbra earns $276 per week, and Melinda earns $124 per week.