h = amount of heavy equipment operators
g = amount of general laborers
so, we know that 36 people were hired, that, whatever "h" and "g" are, we know that h + g = 36.
and the payroll was 4068, so the pay in total for all 36 folks was 4068 bucks.
ok.... well, if there are "h" operators and each makes $133 per day, so, all "h" make then 133 * h, or 133h.
now, if there are "g" laborers and each makes $88 daily, so "g" of them make 88 * g, or 88g.
so, we know what all of them made was 4068, that was the payroll total, thus 133h + 88g = 4068.
[tex]\bf \begin{cases}
h+g=36\implies \boxed{g}=36-h\\
133h+88g=4068\\
----------\\
133h+88\left( \boxed{36-h} \right)=4068
\end{cases}
\\\\\\
133h-88h+3168=4068\implies 45h=4068-3168
\\\\\\
45h=900
\implies
h=\cfrac{900}{45}\implies h=20[/tex]
how many laborers were employed? well, g = 36 - h.
