Marshall earns a salary of $36,000, and each year he receives a $4,000 raise. Jim earns a salary of $51,000, and each year he receives a $1,500 raise. How many years will it take before Marshall and Jim earn the same salary?

1 Answer
Dec 2, 2016

6 years

Explanation:

Let Marshall's salary be "S_m
Let Jim's salary be" "S_j
Let the count in years be n

S_m=$36000+4000n
S_j=$51000+1500n

Set S_m=S_j

For convenience lets drop the $ symbol

=> 36000+4000n" "=" "51000+1500n

Subtract 1500n and 36000 from both sides

4000n-1500n = 51000-36000

2500n=15000

Divide both sides by 2500

n=15000/2500 =150/25 = 6