Question

Martha just started a new job as an engineer.she is given a $9,000 sign on bonus and paid $4,500 per month . Write and solve an equation to determine the number of months that Martha must work before she earns $27,000

Answer 1

$9000 sign on bonus is a one time amount

$4500 is paid monthly
m = month

$27000 is total

Equation:

4500m + 9000 = 27000

Isolate the m, subtract 9000 from both sides

4500m + 9000 (-9000) = 27000 (-9000)

4500m = 18000

Isolate the m, divide 4500 from both sides

4500m/4500 = 18000/4500

m = 18000/4500

m = 4

Martha will need to work 4 months to get $27000


hope this helps

Answer 2

Hi!

So we know she already has $9,000, and we know that she needs to earn $27,000. We also know she gets paid $4,500 per month which can be written as $4,500m (m = month). Now we have to put the equation together. 

$9,000 + $4,500m = $27,000
Whatever we do to the equation, we have to do to both sides. Now let's isolate m on one side. We'll start by subtraction $9,000 from both sides. 
$9,000 - $9,000 + $4,500m = $27,000 - $9,000
$4,500m = $18,000
Divide both sides by $4,500.
$4,500m/$4,500 = $18,000/$4,500
m = 4

The answer is 4 months

Hope this helps! :)
-Peredhel