Every year a man is paid $500 more than the previous year. If he receives $17,800 over four years, what was he paid in the first year?

Let x+500 represent the first year

For the $500 more than the previous year for 4 years, we would write:

(x+500) + (x+500+500+500) + (x+500+500+500+500) = 17,800

By adding the equation above, 4x+5000=17,800

4x=17,800-5000

4x=12,800

x=3,200

So the amount the man was paid in the first year is 3,200+500=3,700

15,800 because 500x the 4 years=2,000,17,800-2,000=15,800. so the answer is 15,800.