Math  /  Algebra

Question- The Smith family and the Jackson family are having their basements remodeled. The Smith's contractor charges $16.50\$ 16.50 per hour plus $289\$ 289 in supplies. The Jackson's contractor charges $18.75\$ 18.75 per hour and $274.60\$ 274.60 in supplies. At how many hours of work will the total cost be the same for both families?

Studdy Solution

STEP 1

1. The Smith family's contractor charges 16.50perhourplus16.50 per hour plus 289 in supplies.
2. The Jackson family's contractor charges 18.75perhourplus18.75 per hour plus 274.60 in supplies.
3. We want to find the number of hours at which the total cost for both families is the same.

STEP 2

1. Define variables for the number of hours.
2. Write expressions for the total cost for each family.
3. Set the expressions equal to each other to find the number of hours.
4. Solve the equation for the number of hours.

STEP 3

Define a variable for the number of hours of work. Let h h represent the number of hours.

STEP 4

Write expressions for the total cost for each family.
For the Smith family, the total cost is: CSmith=16.50h+289 C_{\text{Smith}} = 16.50h + 289
For the Jackson family, the total cost is: CJackson=18.75h+274.60 C_{\text{Jackson}} = 18.75h + 274.60

STEP 5

Set the expressions equal to each other to find when the total costs are the same.
16.50h+289=18.75h+274.60 16.50h + 289 = 18.75h + 274.60

STEP 6

Solve the equation for h h .
Subtract 16.50h 16.50h from both sides: 289=2.25h+274.60 289 = 2.25h + 274.60
Subtract 274.60 274.60 from both sides: 289274.60=2.25h 289 - 274.60 = 2.25h
Calculate the left side: 14.40=2.25h 14.40 = 2.25h
Divide both sides by 2.25 2.25 to solve for h h : h=14.402.25 h = \frac{14.40}{2.25}
Calculate the value of h h : h=6.4 h = 6.4
The number of hours at which the total cost will be the same for both families is 6.4 \boxed{6.4} .

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