2. Luca works at a grocery store on the weekends. He earns \( \$ 8.50 \) per hour. Choose a variable to represent the number of hours Luca works. Write an algebraic expression to represent the total amount Luca earns from working at the grocery store.

Let's represent the number of hours Luca works with the variable \( h \). To find the total amount he earns, you can multiply the hourly wage by the number of hours worked. So, the algebraic expression for the total earnings would be: \[ E = 8.50h \] where \( E \) represents Luca's total earnings. Did you know that part-time jobs like Luca’s can be a great way to learn valuable skills? Not only does he earn money, but he might also gain experience in customer service, time management, and teamwork, all of which are valuable in any future career! Additionally, it’s essential for Luca to keep track of his hours. Many people mistakenly forget to record all their worked hours which can ultimately lead to underpayment. Simple tools like apps or a good old-fashioned notebook can help ensure all hours are documented accurately.