Labor Prob: An appliance repair store charges $50 for....

[SCSmith]

An appliance repair store charges $50 for the first 1/2 hour of service call and $18 for each additional 1/2 hour of labor. Find the length of a service call for which the charge is $104.

I don't know how to approach this algebraically, but it seems that if

Total Charges = $50 + x = $104 Subtract 50
x = $54 at $18 an hour.
54/18 = Divide by 18

3hours + 1/2 hr = 3.5 hours

Is this the right way to approach these types of problems?
Do I have the right solution?

 

[tkhunny]

Re: Labor Problem?

An appliance repair store charges $50 for the first 1/2 hour of service call and $18 for each additional 1/2 hour of labor. Find the length of a service call for which the charge is $104.

I don't know how to approach this algebraically, but it seems that if

Total Charges = $50 + x = $104 Subtract 50
x = $54 at $18 an hour.
54/18 = Divide by 18

3hours + 1/2 hr = 3.5 hours

Is this the right way to approach these types of problems?
Do I have the right solution?

It's really not very organized. I think you may get the right answer, but it may be just by luck.

#1 - Name What you are looking for.

x = # of ½ Hours pf labor

50 + (x-1)*18 = 104

(x-1)*18 = 104 - 50 = 54

x-1 = 54/18 = 3

x = 3+1 = 4 -- That's 4 of those ½ hours or 2 whole hours. That's why we wrote down a clear definition, so that we wouldn't be confused at the end.