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Grade 6 Math · Problem type

Relationships between two variables

Use this for “She earns $12 an hour. Write an equation for pay and hours.”

Chart

0246810020406080100120140h (hours)e ($)(1, 12)hee ÷ h00—1121222412336124481256012
e = 12h
The line goes through (0, 0) and (1, 12).
h = 5 hours
e = $60
r = $12
This is an example. Type your own values to start a new problem.
r
Pay per hour
example · $
h
Hours worked
example · hours
e
Earnings
calculated · $

Formulas

e
=
rh
(earnings
=
pay
per
hour
×
hours
worked)
60 = 12 × 5

Assumptions

•
The hours are the independent variable: you choose them.
•
The earnings depend on the hours: they are the dependent variable.
•
Pay from $1 to $50 an hour; up to 40 hours.

Step-by-step

WE KNOW
r = $12 (pay per hour), h = 5 hours (hours worked)
FIND
earnings (e)
Step 1 · Find earnings (e)
Use e = rh (earnings = pay per hour × hours worked)
Put the numbers in: the pay for each hour times the hours.
e
=
12
×
5
e
=
$60
Check
Put the numbers back in. Both sides should match.
60 = 12 × 5 ✓
Topic check
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