| Step 1. Read the problem. |
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| Step 2. Identify what you are looking for. |
How much does the husband earn? |
| Step 3. Name. Choose a variable to represent the amount the husband earns. The wife earns $16,000 less than twice that. |
Let h = the amount the husband earns. |
| Step 4. Translate. Restate the problem in one sentence with all the important information. Translate into an equation. |
2h − 16,000 = the amount the wife Together the husband and wife earn $110,000. |
| Step 5. Solve the equation. Combine like terms. Add 16,000 to both sides and simplify. Divide each side by three. |
h+2h−16,000h+2h−16,0003h−16,0003hh=====110,000110,000110,000126,00042,000 |
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$42,000 amount husband earns |
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2h−16,000amount wife earns2(42,000)−16,00084,000−16,00068,000 |
| Step 6. Check: If the wife earns $68,000 and the husband earns $42,000, is that $110,000? Yes! |
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| Step 7. Answer the question. |
The husband earns $42,000 a year. |