Answer:
(a) $17 per hour
(b) $16 per hour
(c) Samantha earns $1 more per hour than Thomas
(d) see attached
Step-by-step explanation:
Samantha's hourly rate is most easily computed using the values $170 for 10 hours work.
$170/(10 h) = $17/h
Samantha earns $17 per hour.
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Thomas's hourly rate is the coefficient of x in his earnings equation. When x=1, y=16, meaning Thomas earns $16 for each hour of work.
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17 is more than 16, so Samantha earns more per hour. She earns $17 -16 = $1 more per hour than Thomas.
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See the attachment.