Question

A service station attendant is paid time-and-a-half for working over 40 hours per week. Last week the attendant worked 47 h and earned $580.75. Find the attendant's regular hourly wage.

Answer 1

the attendant's regular hourly wage is $11.50

Explanation:

let the regular pay = p

time and the half is the amount paid for overtime:

time and the half = p + 1/2p = p + 0.5p

time and the half = 1.5p

40 hours is the normal hours. Hence, the cost per hour is P

7 hours is the over time. The cost per hour 1.5p

Total earned = $580.75

p(40) + 1.5p(7) = 580.75

40p + 10.5p = 580.75

50.5p = 580.75

divide both sides by 50.5:

50.5p/50.5 = 580.75/50.5

p = 11.5

Hence, the attendant's regular hourly wage is $11.50