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The total weekly wages for 12 artisans and 4 apprentices are sh 5,600. If the number of artisans is increased to 15 and that of the apprentices to 9, the total weekly wages are sh. 7,800. Calculate the weekly wage for an artisan.

Class: Form 1

Subject: Mathematics

Topic: Linear Equations

Lesson Summary

The total weekly wages for 12 artisans and 4 apprentices are sh 5,600. If the number of artisans is increased to 15 and that of the apprentices to 9, the total weekly wages are sh. 7,800. Calculate the weekly wage for an artisan.



Text Answer


Let the wage of an artisan be x and that of an apprentice be y.

12𝑥+4𝑦=5 600…..(1)
15𝑥+9𝑦=7 800……(2)

We eliminate y
9(12𝑥+4𝑦=5 600 )
4(15𝑥+9𝑦=7 800)

108x + 36y = 50,400
- 60x + 36y = 31,200
48x 19200

48x48=1920048

=X = 400

Substitute x = 400 in eqn 1
12(400) + 4y = 5600
4800 + 4y = 5600

4y4=8004

y=200

An artisan’s wage is sh 400.

Next: Three artisans and two craftsmen earn sh. 220 in a day while four artisans and one craftsman earn sh. 185. Find the amount of money a craftsman earns in a day.
Previous: Two pairs of trousers and three shirts cost a total of 390. Five such pairs of trousers and two shirts cost a total of sh. 810. Find the price of a pair of trousers and a shirt.

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