SOLUTION: I need to find the weekly salary and commission RATE of this problem. Total compensation one week (salary+commission) on sales of $4000 is $660. The next week his total compensat

Algebra ->  Radicals -> SOLUTION: I need to find the weekly salary and commission RATE of this problem. Total compensation one week (salary+commission) on sales of $4000 is $660. The next week his total compensat      Log On


   

Question 420911: I need to find the weekly salary and commission RATE of this problem. Total compensation one week (salary+commission) on sales of $4000 is $660. The next week his total compensation on sales of $6000 was $740.
I know that you take the total sales and multiply it by the total commission rate variable (i used "y" for commission and "x" for weekly salary) but I can't figure out how to write the equation correctly.
Answer by josmiceli(19441) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Let a = weekly salary
Let b = commission rate
given:
1st week:
(1) +660+-+a+=+b%2A4000+
2nd week:
(2) +740+-+a+=+b%2A6000+
-----------------
This is 2 equations with 2 unknowns, so it's solvable
(1) +-a+=+4000b+-+660+
(1) +a+=+-4000b+%2B+660+
and
(2) -a+=+6000b+-+740+
Now add these equations
+0+=+2000b+-+80+
+2000b+=+80+
+b+=+.04+
The commission rate is 4%
and
(1) +a+=+-4000b+%2B+660+
(1) a+=+-4000%2A.04+%2B+660+
(1) a+=+660+-+160+
a+=+500
The weekly salary is $500