Adam calculates his annual salary (base pay and commission), y, using the model y= 0.28x+38,000, where x represents his total sales for the year.

what is the y-intercept? __________
what does the y-intercept mean in context? ________
what is the slope? ________
what does the slope mean in context? ________
if Adam made $45,000 total annual salary, how much was his total sales? _______

(0, 38,000)
(0, 0.28)
(0, 0)
Adam's base salary
Adam's total sales
0.28
38,000
38,000/28
the increase in salary per total sales
the increase in total sales per salary
$25,000
$296,429
$1960

1 answer

Let's address each part of your question step-by-step.

  1. What is the y-intercept?
    Answer: The y-intercept is 38,000.
    Explanation: In the equation \(y = 0.28x + 38,000\), the y-intercept (the value of y when x = 0) is the constant term, which is 38,000.

  2. What does the y-intercept mean in context?
    Answer: The y-intercept represents Adam's base salary.
    Explanation: When Adam has no sales (x = 0), his total salary (y) is 38,000, which is his base salary regardless of his sales performance.

  3. What is the slope?
    Answer: The slope is 0.28.
    Explanation: In the equation \(y = 0.28x + 38,000\), the slope (0.28) quantifies the rate of change in Adam's salary with respect to his sales.

  4. What does the slope mean in context?
    Answer: The slope means that for every dollar increase in total sales, Adam’s salary increases by $0.28.
    Explanation: This means that Adam earns 28 cents for every dollar he sells in commission on top of his base salary.

  5. If Adam made $45,000 total annual salary, how much was his total sales?
    To find x (total sales), set y = 45,000 in the equation and solve for x:
    \[ 45,000 = 0.28x + 38,000 \] \[ 45,000 - 38,000 = 0.28x \] \[ 7,000 = 0.28x \] \[ x = \frac{7,000}{0.28} \approx 25,000 \]
    Answer: Adam's total sales were approximately $25,000.

So, summarizing the answers:

  • y-intercept: 38,000
  • Meaning of the y-intercept: Adam's base salary
  • Slope: 0.28
  • Meaning of the slope: The increase in salary per total dollar sales
  • Total sales if salary is $45,000: Approximately $25,000