Jane pulled weeds in the garden 7 times. She was paid $5 each time she pulled weeds for less than 1 hour and $6 each time she pulled weeds for more than 1 hour. If Jane received $39, how many times did she pull weeds for more than 1 hour?

Just by looking at it I can see that the answer is 4 times more than 1 hour and 3 times less than 1 hour

4*$6 = $24

3*$5 = $15

7 times = $39

To solve set up and solve a pair of simultaneous equations

Let L = less than one hour and M = more than one hour

Therefore L + M = 7 (she pulled weeds 7 times)

From this L = 7 - M

$5 * L + $6 * M = $39 (rate of pay times number of occasions = total pay)

Which mathematically can be written 5L + 6M = 39

BUT we know that L = 7 - M therefore substitutee (7 - M) for "L" in the above equation which now becomes

5 (7 - M) + 6M = 39

Expand the bracket

35 - 5M + 6M = 39

Simplify

35 + M = 39

M = 4

As she pulled weeds 7 times and on 4 of these she took more than one hour it follows that on 3 occasions she pulled weeds for less than one hour

L = 3

Answer

She pulled weeds for more than one hour 4 times

It's 8 times because all that you do is divide 39 and 5 and you get 7.8 ... but if you want it to be a whole number it turns out to be 8 times.