(a)
We are given
A worker on the production line is paid a base salary of $230.00 per week
so, base salary =230
Let's assume number pencils produced as x
plus $0.78 for each unit produced
now, we can find equation for earnings
[tex]E(x)=230+0.78x[/tex]
now, we are given
her earnings of $446.84 for a week when she produced x units
so, we can set E(x)=446.84
and then we can solve for x
[tex]446.84=230+0.78x[/tex]
[tex]230\cdot \:100+0.78x\cdot \:100=446.84\cdot \:100[/tex]
[tex]23000+78x=44684[/tex]
[tex]23000+78x-23000=44684-23000[/tex]
[tex]78x=21684[/tex]
[tex]\frac{78x}{78}=\frac{21684}{78}[/tex]
[tex]x=278[/tex]
so, number of pencils = 278........Answer
(b)
If the worker had produced twice that number of units
so, number of pencils =2*278=556
now, we can find earnings
[tex]E(x)=230+0.78x[/tex]
now, we can plug x=556
[tex]E(556)=230+0.78*556[/tex]
[tex]E(556)=663.68[/tex].................Answer