Melinda and Paula shovel driveways and sidewalks in the winter to earn extra money. Together, they shoveled 450 square feet of sidewalk in 30 minutes. Then Melinda shoveled for 20 minutes while Paula shoveled for 25 minutes to complete 345 square feet of driveway.

[tex]\[
\begin{array}{l}
30x + 30y = 450 \\
20x + 25y = 345
\end{array}
\][/tex]

How much more can Paula shovel in 1 minute than Melinda?

A. 3 square feet per minute
B. 6 square feet per minute
C. 9 square feet per minute
D. 15 square feet per minute



Answer :

To determine how much more Paula can shovel in one minute compared to Melinda, we will solve the given system of linear equations to find their respective shoveling rates.

The equations are:
1. [tex]\(30x + 30y = 450\)[/tex]
2. [tex]\(20x + 25y = 345\)[/tex]

Here, [tex]\(x\)[/tex] represents the rate at which Melinda shovels (in square feet per minute), and [tex]\(y\)[/tex] represents the rate at which Paula shovels (in square feet per minute).

First, let's simplify the equations:

1. [tex]\(30(x + y) = 450\)[/tex]
[tex]\[ x + y = \frac{450}{30} \][/tex]
[tex]\[ x + y = 15 \][/tex]

2. Leave the second equation as it is for substitution later:
[tex]\[ 20x + 25y = 345 \][/tex]

Now, let's solve for one variable in terms of the other using the simplified first equation. For simplicity, solve for [tex]\(x\)[/tex]:
[tex]\[ x = 15 - y \][/tex]

Substitute [tex]\(x\)[/tex] in the second equation:
[tex]\[ 20(15 - y) + 25y = 345 \][/tex]
[tex]\[ 300 - 20y + 25y = 345 \][/tex]
[tex]\[ 300 + 5y = 345 \][/tex]
[tex]\[ 5y = 45 \][/tex]
[tex]\[ y = 9 \][/tex]

So, Paula's rate (y) is 9 square feet per minute. Now, substitute [tex]\(y = 9\)[/tex] back into the equation [tex]\(x + y = 15\)[/tex] to find [tex]\(x\)[/tex]:
[tex]\[ x + 9 = 15 \][/tex]
[tex]\[ x = 6 \][/tex]

Thus, Melinda's rate (x) is 6 square feet per minute.

The difference in their shoveling rates is:
[tex]\[ y - x = 9 - 6 = 3 \][/tex]

Therefore, Paula can shovel 3 square feet per minute more than Melinda.

So, the correct answer is:

3 square feet per minute.