Question

Jason has applied to be a camp counselor for the summer. The job pays $9 per hour. The equation to represent Jason’s job is y = 9x, where x is the number of hours he works and y is the total amount he earns.

Mia has applied to be a lifeguard for the summer. The lifeguard job is three days a week with hours and pay as shown in the table below.


Tuesday
Thursday
Saturday
Hours worked
6
8
5
Amount paid
$52.50
$70.00
$43.75

Which statement best describes the hourly rates?
The two jobs pay the same hourly rate.
The comparison cannot be made with the information given.
Jason’s camp counselor job pays a higher hourly rate than Mia’s lifeguard job.
Jason’s camp counselor job pays a lower hourly rate than Mia’s lifeguard job.

Answer 1

Mia’s hourly rate each day: 52.50 ÷ 6 = 8.75, 70.00 ÷ 8 = 8.75, 43.75 ÷ 5 = 8.75, so she earns $8.75/hour. Jason earns $9/hour, so Jason’s camp counselor job pays a higher hourly rate than Mia’s lifeguard job.