Question 662064
x = salesperson pay
y = coworker's pay
sales person gets 15% less than coworker (y - 15%)
but 15% of what? coworkers pay, so 15%y
x = y - 15%y
converting 15% to decimal: 15/100 = .15
x = y - .15y
together they make 645
x+y = 645
Substitute x into the equation
y - .15y + y = 645
2y-.15y = 645
1.85y = 645
Divide both sides by 1.85
y = 348.65, which is coworker's pay
salesperson gets 645 - coworker's pay
x = 645 - 348.65 = 296.35 as salesperson's pay
or you could caluculate
x = 348.65 - .15(348.65)
x = 348.65 - 52.30 = 296.35 as salesperson's pay