math · 24 minutes · Official OETT Aligned
Averages & Pay
Find an average or total earnings
What to know
- mean: the arithmetic average
- hours worked
- pay per hour
- different rates for different hours
These questions ask you to combine amounts in the right way.
The core rule
Average = total ÷ number of values. Pay = hours × pay per hour.
To find the average of four numbers, add them and divide by four. For pay, multiply the hours by the rate. If different hours have different rates, work out each part separately and add the pay amounts.
Worked examples
Example 1: easy
8, 14, 18, and 20 average 15.
- Add all four numbers: 8 + 14 + 18 + 20 = 60.
- Divide by the count 4: 60 ÷ 4 = 15.
An average shares the total equally across the four numbers.
Example 2: medium
7.5 hours at $28/hour pays $210.
- Multiply time by rate: 7.5 h × $28/h.
- Split 7.5 into 7 + 0.5: $196 + $14 = $210.
Pay includes every hour worked, including half an hour.
Example 3: hard
Eight regular hours at $30 plus two hours at $45 totals $330.
- Regular earnings are 8 h × $30/h = $240.
- Higher-rate earnings are 2 h × $45/h = $90; total $240 + $90 = $330.
Work out pay at each rate separately, then add.
Common mistakes
The average is just the total.
After adding, divide by how many values you added.
Put it into practice
Use guided explanations, check your answers, and try a new variation.