Tabitha's mom is trying to decide between two plumber companies to fix her sink. Water R Us Company charged $52 for a service call, plus an additional $34 per hour
for labor.
Clogs B Gone Company charges $34 for a service call, plus an additional $40 per hour
of labor.
What will the total cost be from either company when they cost the
same?

the amount due for 3 hours would be $52 + ($34/hr)(3 hrs) = $154

Step-by-step explanation:

Write two equations, one for the total cost payable to Water R Us and another to Clogs:  

$52 + ($34/hr)t  =  $34 + ($40/hr)t, or

$18 = ($6/hr)t, which tells us that t = 3 (That's 3 hours).

At the time the charges from the two companies would be the same (3 hours into the job), the amount due for 3 hours would be

$52 + ($34/hr)(3 hrs) = $154

irrational, cannot