A worker is hired for $80 a day on the condition that if business is slow, the worker will only receive half pay. At the end of 20 days, the worker receives $1,320. On how many days was business slow?

7 slow days
You know the worker worked a total of 20 days, some at $80 per day, and some at $40 per day. After the 20 days, the worker was paid $1320.
x = days paid full time ($80) y = days paid half time ($40)
you have two unknowns, so you'll need two equations to solve, from the problem statement, we can derive the following relationships:
($80)x + ($40)y = $1320 x + y = 20 days
x = 20 - y 80(20 - y) + 40y = 1320 1600 - 80y + 40y = 1320 1600 - 40y = 1320 1600 - 1320 = 40y 280 = 40y y = 280/40 = 7
thus 7 days paid half time (i.e. slow days)
verify your solution is correct y = 7 x = 20 - 7 = 13 80(13) + 40(7) = 1320 [OK]

Answered by Anonymous | 2024-06-10

The worker experienced 7 slow days where they received half pay. By setting up equations based on the total earnings and days worked, we confirmed this through calculations. The worker worked for 13 days at full pay and 7 days at half pay, leading to a total of $1,320 earned over 20 days.
;

Answered by Anonymous | 2025-06-12