MHB Simultaneous equations in word form (2)

[CSmith1]

The wage bill for six women and five men is \$670. The bill for eight men and three women is \$610. Find the wages of (1) a man and (b) a woman.

i set it up like this :

6x+5y=670
3x+8y=610

did i set it up right because word questions confuses me .

 

[MarkFL]

Yes, you have set it up correctly.

 

[CaptainBlack]

The wage bill for six women and five men is \$670. The bill for eight men and three women is \$610. Find the wages of (1) a man and (b) a woman.

i set it up like this :

6x+5y=670
3x+8y=610

did i set it up right because word questions confuses me .

When setting up the equations you might find it more intuitive to use m and w for the wages of men and women repetitively (you should also at a minimum say what each variable represents).

CB

 

[HallsofIvy]

Unfortunately, this problem assumes, without saying so, that all men make the same wage and that all women make the same wage. That seems silly to me.