100+20w=280
You earn 20 per every one week (# of weeks is the variable w) you start out with 100 dollars.
To solve the equation above subtract 100 from both sides. This will leave you with 20w=180.
Then take the equation 20w=180 and divide both sides by 20 to get w=9. It will take 9 weeks for Mary to earn enough money for the bike.