16Hit1600
AlgebraHardLeast hours to reach an earnings target with overtime

Algebra practice question

A worker earns $15 per hour for the first 40 hours in a week and $22.50 per hour for each hour beyond 40. What is the least number of whole hours the worker must work in a week to earn at least $750?

Answer: 47

The first 40 hours earn $600, leaving $150 to earn at $22.50 per hour: 150 ÷ 22.5 = 6.67, so 7 overtime hours. Total 47.

Common wrong answers

If you answered 7
7 is the number of overtime hours, not the total.
If you answered 46
46 hours earns $735, short of $750.
If you answered 50
50 comes from 750 ÷ 15, ignoring the overtime rate.

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