Two mechanics worked on a car. The first mechanic worked for
20
hours, and the second mechanic worked for
15
hours. Together they charged a total of
$3000
. What was the rate charged per hour by each mechanic if the sum of the two rates was
$175
per hour?

Question

Two mechanics worked on a car. The first mechanic worked for 
20
 hours, and the second mechanic worked for 
15
 hours. Together they charged a total of 
$3000
. What was the rate charged per hour by each mechanic if the sum of the two rates was 
$175
 per hour?

snowsurf · Answer

This best way to solve this is write two equations. Lets mechanic that work for 20 hours be x and the other for 15 be y.

X and y are their rates in dollar per hour so we have an equation of 

20x + 15y = 3000


And we know their rates total to 175, so we have x + y = 175.

So your two equations are 
20x + 15y = 3000
x + y = 175

Now you can use any method whether substitution or elimination to solve for x and y.

anonymous · Answer

How would you use the substitution in this method?

snowsurf · Answer

You would solve either for x or y and then substitute into the other equation.