Q:

John and Gary share a workload. At a certain point, John worked 2 more hours than Gary. The next day, John has worked 4 of Gary’s usual hours. How many more hours has John worked than Gary?

Accepted Solution

A:
If these both men were working at normal hours, and then, (John) worked "2 more hours" than Gary has, this would just mean that he has worked more.

x+2= x+2.

Now if John has worked the double amount, 4 more times than Gary's usual hours, this would mean something quite different.

Then the expression would look like, (x+2×4x)

We don't know how many hours are the "usual hours", this is what "x" would then represent.

John has then worked (4×2+x) more hours than Gary.

Your answer: (4×2+x)