Kiran and his cousin work during the summer for a landscaping company. Kiran's cousin has been working for the company longer, so his pay is 30% more than Kiran's. Last week his cousin worked 27 hours, and Kiran worked 23 hours. Together, they earned $493.85. What is Kiran's hourly pay?

8.5 $

Step-by-step explanation:

Let Kiran 's salary is x $ per hour

hence cousin 's salary is x+ 30% of x per hour

or          x+0.3x or 1.3x per hour

cousin 's earning 27(1.3x) = 35.1 x

kiran 's earning 23x

hence 35.1x +23x = 493.85

        58.1x = 493.85

              x = 493.85/ 58.1

               x = 8.5 $