A man's salary increases by $500 each year. Over four years, he earns a total of $17800. We need to find his salary in the first year.

1. Problem Description

A man's salary increases by $500 each year. Over four years, he earns a total of$

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0. We need to find his salary in the first year.

2. Solution Steps

Let $x$ be the salary in the first year.

The salaries for the four years are $x$, $x + 500$, $x + 1000$, and $x + 1500$.

The total salary over four years is the sum of the salaries for each year.

So, $x + (x + 500) + (x + 1000) + (x + 1500) = 17800$.

Combine the like terms: $4x + 3000 = 17800$.

Subtract 3000 from both sides of the equation: $4x = 17800 - 3000$.

$4x = 14800$.

Divide both sides by 4: $x = \frac{14800}{4}$.

$x = 3700$.

3. Final Answer

The salary in the first year was $3700.