Cora is a saleswoman who earned a base pay of [tex] \$58,400 [/tex] and was paid a commission of [tex] 11\% [/tex] for each knife set she sold. If [tex] x [/tex] represents total sales in dollars, which of the following equations best represents Cora's total pay in dollars?

A. [tex] y = 58400 + 0.011x [/tex]
B. [tex] y = 58400x + 0.11 [/tex]
C. [tex] y = 58400 + 0.11x [/tex]
D. [tex] y = 58400 + 11x [/tex]



Answer :

Let's analyze the problem step by step to determine the correct equation that represents Cora's total pay.

Cora earns:
1. A base pay of [tex]\(\$ 58,400\)[/tex]
2. A commission of [tex]\(11\%\)[/tex] on her total sales [tex]\(x\)[/tex].

We need to create an equation [tex]\(y\)[/tex] that represents her total pay in dollars.

### Step-by-Step Solution

1. Base Pay:
- Cora earns a fixed base salary of [tex]\(\$ 58,400\)[/tex].
- This amount does not change regardless of her sales volume.

2. Commission:
- Commission is a percentage of her total sales ([tex]\(x\)[/tex]).
- The commission rate is [tex]\(11\%\)[/tex].
- This can be represented mathematically as [tex]\(0.11 \times x\)[/tex].

3. Total Pay Equation:
- To find the total pay [tex]\(y\)[/tex], we sum up the base pay and the commission on sales.
- So, the equation becomes:
[tex]\[ y = 58400 + 0.11x \][/tex]

Now let's review the options provided:

A) [tex]\( y = 58400 + 0.011x \)[/tex]
- This equation implies a commission rate of [tex]\(1.1\%\)[/tex], which is incorrect.

B) [tex]\( y = 58400x + 0.11 \)[/tex]
- This option incorrectly represents a product of the base salary and total sales, which makes no sense contextually.

C) [tex]\( y = 58400 + 0.11x \)[/tex]
- This is exactly what we derived: a base pay of [tex]\(\$ 58,400\)[/tex] plus a [tex]\(11\%\)[/tex] commission on total sales [tex]\(x\)[/tex].

D) [tex]\( y = 58400 + 11x \)[/tex]
- This equation suggests a commission rate of [tex]\(1100\%\)[/tex], which is incorrect.

Therefore, the correct equation from the given options is:

[tex]\[ \boxed{C: \, y = 58400 + 0.11x} \][/tex]

This equation accurately represents Cora's total pay considering both her base salary and the commission from her sales.