Michelle Gets A Paycheck - "That's Taught in Algebra Too" - Episode 2
There are many things that people feel should be taught in High School. I can not say what you were taught specifically. What I can do is tell what should be taught in High School Math currently.
There are those who think that paycheck calculation should be taught about in High School, well guess what? That’s taught in Algebra too.
In this episode, we will help Michelle to verify if her check from work was in the correct amount.
Michelle started her career at a local shoe store as an associate seller when she was a Sophomore in High School. She decided to turn her High School job into a career, and after 3 years became the manager of her own store. As manager, she gets 1.5% commission on her monthly sales. In addition to that, Michelle makes an annual salary of $63,560 .
In the month of September Michelle made $25,500 worth of sales. Her September check, with commission included, was $5,452.17. Michelle remembered her High School Math teacher Mr. Etheridge, and remembered to double check the Math of her paycheck.
Was her check correct? If not, how much should it be?
How much does Michelle Make a month before commission?
$63,560 ÷ 12 months = $5,296.67 per month
How much did Michelle Make in commission for the month of September?
Monthly Sales x Commission rate = Commission for the month
$25,500 * 1.5% =
$25,500 * 0.015 = $382.50
How much should Michelle's September check be?
Monthly salary + September Commission = Total Amount of Michelle's Check
$5296.67 + $382.50 = $5,679.17
So the ammount of $5,452.17 was incorrect. In fact, Michelle's check was $227 short of what it should have been.
Method to Verify all Future Checks - An Algebraic Formula
x: The total sales Michell has made in a given month. (The input of this formula )
y: The total amount of Michelle's Pay check for a given month
5296.67 : Michelle's monthly salary
0.015 : Michelle's commission rate of 1.5% expressed as a decimal
y = 5296.67 + ( 0.015 ) * x
If Michelle makes $43,000 in sales for the month of October, how much should her check be? [ Comment your answer below ]
Common Core State Standards for Mathematics
F.LE.5 -
Interpret the parameters in a linear or exponential function in terms of a context.
7.RPA.3 -
Use proportional relationships to solve multistep ratio and percent problems. Examples: simple interest, tax, markups and markdowns, gratuities and commissions, fees, percent increase and decrease, percent error.
Reference Page / Works Cited
Average Foot Locker Manager Salary: https://www.salary.com/research/salar...
Foot Locker Commission rates: https://www.glassdoor.com/Reviews/Foo....
Referee Image: http://www.stockphotos.ro/pretty-refe...
Math Common Core State Standards - http://www.corestandards.org/Math/