16Hit1600
AlgebraHardDaily wages from two crew totals

Algebra practice question

On one day a builder pays 4 carpenters and 3 painters a total of $1,070; on another day, 2 carpenters and 5 painters cost $990. Every carpenter is paid the same daily wage, and so is every painter. What is a painter's daily wage, in dollars?

Answer: 130

4c + 3p = 1,070 and 2c + 5p = 990. Doubling the second: 4c + 10p = 1,980. Subtracting the first: 7p = 910, so p = 130 (and c = 170).

Common wrong answers

If you answered 170
170 is a carpenter's wage.
If you answered 152.86
152.86 is 1,070 ÷ 7, dividing the first total by the head count.
If you answered 141.43
141.43 is 990 ÷ 7.

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