x= Rita's pay
1/2x + 40= Bill's pay
x + (1/2x + 40)= $520
combine like terms
1 1/2x + 40= 520
convert to improper fraction
3/2x + 40= 520
subtract 40 from both sides
3/2x= 480
divide both sides by 3/2
x= 480 ÷ 3/2
to divide fractions, multiply by reciprocal of 3/2
x= 480 * 2/3
multiply numerators; multiply denominators
x= (480*2)/(1*3)
x= 960/3
x= $320 Rita's pay
ANSWER: Rita's pay is $320 using
x + (1/2x + 40)= 520.
Hope this helps! :)
