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The problem is: Beth works a maximum of $20$ hours/week programming computers and tutoring math. She receives $\$25$/hour for programming and $\$20$/hour for tutoring. She works between $3$ and $8$ hours/week programming, but always gives more time to tutoring. How many hours should she work at each job to maximize her income?

Let $x$ = # hours programming and $y$ = # hours tutoring.

My constraints are:

Total hours: $x + y ≤ 20$

Hours programming: $3 ≤ x ≤ 8$

Hours tutoring: $y > x$

Are these right?

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    Seems OK. I would be more comfortable with $y\ge x$, even though it goes against the usual meaning of "more".2012-12-03
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    But then y could be equal to x, and y is always greater.2012-12-03
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    Sure. But if you are ultimately solving "graphically," and the relevant corner involves the line $y=x$, we probably would not reject that as an answer.2012-12-03
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    But if I'm solving graphically, I would use the vertices, no? So it wouldn't matter if the line was y ≥ x or y > x since it would be the same line.2012-12-03
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    Don't worry about it.2012-12-03

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It looks good, though "between" is a bit ambiguous. Sometimes, it is meant the way that you interpreted it, but sometimes, it is meant to indicate strict inequalities.

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    Yes, but that's not what the restriction says, because x and y do not have to add up, only if she has to maximize her income.2012-12-03
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    I think it's meant the way I interpreted it; I wouldn't worry.2012-12-03
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    You're correct. I've deleted it from my answer.2012-12-03
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    Okay, sounds good. Thanks so much for your quick answer!2012-12-03
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    If it were meant the other way, we actually *couldn't* maximize income, so I'm sure you appropriately interpreted it.2012-12-03
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    What exactly is the other way?2012-12-03
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    The other way would (in this context) be $32012-12-03
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    Ah, okay. Yeah, I'm pretty sure it's my way :)2012-12-03