Sean earns $4.50 per hour more than his trainee, tyrone. during one 8 hour day, they earn a total of $284. how much does tyrone make per hour?

Tyrone earns x dollars per hour.
Sean earns $4.50 per hour more than Tyrone, so he earns x + 4.5 dollars per hour.
In 8 hours, Tyrone earns 8x.
In 8 hours, Sean earns 8(x + 4.5).

8x + 8(x + 4.5) = 284

8x + 8x + 36 = 284

16x + 36 = 284

16x = 248

x = 15.5

Tyrone earns $15.50 per hour.

Check:
Sean earns $15.50 + $4.50 = $20 per hour.
In 8 hours, their combined salary is 8(15.5 + 20) = 8(35.5) = 284.
Our answer is correct.