Question

A paralegal makes $12 more per hour than an assistant. If the combined hourly wage of the paralegal and assistant is $38, what is the hourly wage of the assistant?

Answer 1

Assistant's hourly wage is `$13`

Explanation:

Let `A` denote the amount an assistant makes per hour
and `P` the amount a paralegal makes per hour.

We are told:
[1]`color(white)("XXX")P=A+12`
and
[2]`color(white)("XXX")P+A = 38`

Replacing `P` with `(A+12)` from [1]
into [2]
`color(white)("XXX")A+12+A=38`

`color(white)("XXX")2A=26`

`color(white)("XXX")A=13`