Let T the number of hours the Thompson family used their sprinkler
Let H the number of hours the Hill family used their sprinkler
T + H = 75
H=75-T
To compute for the number of hours each family used with a combined water output of 2200, we use the following equation:
T(20)+H(40)=2200
20T+(75-T)(40)=2200
20T+3000-40T=2200
-20T=2200-3000
-20T=-800
T=40
H=75-40
H=35
To check:
Total water output =40(20)+35(40)
=800+1400
=2200