a wallpaper salesman earns a base pay of $15,600 per year and a commission of 16% of all sales made. if he sold $25,400 worth of merchandise last year, what were his total earnings last year?

Question

$36,936
$27,896
$38,504
$19,664

Answer 1

To calculate the total earnings of the wallpaper salesman, we need to consider both his base pay and the commission he earns from his sales.

1. Base Pay: \[ \text{Base Pay} = 15,600 \text{ dollars} \]

2. Sales Amount: \[ \text{Sales} = 25,400 \text{ dollars} \]

3. Commission Rate: \[ \text{Commission Rate} = 16% = 0.16 \]

4. Commission Earned: \[ \text{Commission} = \text{Sales} \times \text{Commission Rate} = 25,400 \times 0.16 \] \[ \text{Commission} = 4,064 \text{ dollars} \]

5. Total Earnings: \[ \text{Total Earnings} = \text{Base Pay} + \text{Commission} = 15,600 + 4,064 \] \[ \text{Total Earnings} = 19,664 \text{ dollars} \]

Thus, the salesman’s total earnings last year were $19,664.

The correct answer is $19,664.