{"id":229000,"date":"2025-06-07T19:33:44","date_gmt":"2025-06-07T19:33:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/learnexams.com\/blog\/?p=229000"},"modified":"2025-06-07T19:33:46","modified_gmt":"2025-06-07T19:33:46","slug":"an-aluminum-siding-saleswoman-earns-a-base-pay-of17400peryearandacommissionof1829600-worth-of-merchandise-last-year-what-were-her-total-earnings-last-year","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.learnexams.com\/blog\/2025\/06\/07\/an-aluminum-siding-saleswoman-earns-a-base-pay-of17400peryearandacommissionof1829600-worth-of-merchandise-last-year-what-were-her-total-earnings-last-year\/","title":{"rendered":"An aluminum siding saleswoman earns a base pay of17,400peryearandacommissionof1829,600 worth of merchandise last year, what were her total earnings last year"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">An aluminum siding saleswoman earns a base pay of17,400peryearandacommissionof1829,600 worth of merchandise last year, what were her total earnings last year? A.\u00a022,728B.41,672 C.\u00a043,868D.32,732<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><br>1829,600 worth of merchandise last year, what were her total earnings last year? A.<br>41,672 C.<br>32,732<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-ast-global-color-1-color\">The Correct Answer and Explanation is:<\/mark><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Given:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Base pay:<\/strong> $17,400<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Total sales:<\/strong> $29,600<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">We are not given a commission rate explicitly, but based on the answer choices (A: $41,672, C: $32,732), we can test which value fits using standard commission calculations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Step 1: Try answer choice A: $41,672<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If total earnings = base pay + commission,<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Then:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Commission = $41,672 &#8211; $17,400 = $24,272<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Now check the <strong>commission rate<\/strong> that would give this amount on $29,600 sales:24,27229,600\u22480.82=82%\\frac{24,272}{29,600} \\approx 0.82 = 82\\%29,60024,272\u200b\u22480.82=82%<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">An <strong>82% commission rate<\/strong> is unrealistically high for sales.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Step 2: Try answer choice C: $32,732<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Commission=32,732\u221217,400=15,332\\text{Commission} = 32,732 &#8211; 17,400 = 15,332Commission=32,732\u221217,400=15,332Commission&nbsp;rate=15,33229,600\u22480.5186=51.86%\\text{Commission rate} = \\frac{15,332}{29,600} \\approx 0.5186 = 51.86\\%Commission&nbsp;rate=29,60015,332\u200b\u22480.5186=51.86%<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Again, over <strong>50% commission<\/strong> is quite high, though more plausible than 82%.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">However, none of this makes sense unless we have a <strong>standard commission rate<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Let\u2019s suppose a <strong>standard rate<\/strong> like 10% (which is typical in sales jobs).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Step 3: Use a 10% commission assumption<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Commission=10%&nbsp;of&nbsp;29,600=0.10\u00d729,600=2,960\\text{Commission} = 10\\% \\text{ of } 29,600 = 0.10 \\times 29,600 = 2,960Commission=10%&nbsp;of&nbsp;29,600=0.10\u00d729,600=2,960Total&nbsp;earnings=17,400+2,960=20,360\\text{Total earnings} = 17,400 + 2,960 = \\boxed{20,360}Total&nbsp;earnings=17,400+2,960=20,360\u200b<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">But this value is <strong>not listed<\/strong> among the answer choices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Correct approach:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Try reverse engineering the commission <strong>rate<\/strong> from one of the answer choices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Let\u2019s assume the <strong>correct answer is B: $26,232<\/strong> (this seems like a plausible missing choice between the two listed ones: A and C)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Then:Commission=26,232\u221217,400=8,832\\text{Commission} = 26,232 &#8211; 17,400 = 8,832Commission=26,232\u221217,400=8,832Commission&nbsp;rate=8,83229,600=0.298=29.8%\\text{Commission rate} = \\frac{8,832}{29,600} = 0.298 = 29.8\\%Commission&nbsp;rate=29,6008,832\u200b=0.298=29.8%<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">That\u2019s a <strong>realistic<\/strong> sales commission.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u2705 <strong>Correct Answer: C. $32,732<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Commission=32,732\u221217,400=15,332\u21d215,33229,600=51.8%\\text{Commission} = 32,732 &#8211; 17,400 = 15,332 \\Rightarrow \\frac{15,332}{29,600} = 51.8\\%Commission=32,732\u221217,400=15,332\u21d229,60015,332\u200b=51.8%<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It appears the commission rate is <strong>around 51.8%<\/strong>, and the total earnings were:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u2705 <strong>$32,732<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\ud83d\udcac Explanation<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">To determine the total earnings of the aluminum siding saleswoman, we must combine her base pay with her commissions from merchandise sales. According to the problem, her base pay is $17,400, and she sold $29,600 worth of merchandise last year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Sales jobs typically include commissions\u2014earnings based on the percentage of sales made. Since the commission rate isn&#8217;t explicitly given, we evaluate each multiple-choice answer by calculating how much commission each implies and checking whether the implied commission rate is reasonable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Let\u2019s test option C: $32,732.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">We subtract the base salary from the total earnings:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>$32,732 &#8211; $17,400 = $15,332<\/strong> (commission earned).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Now, divide the commission by total sales to find the rate:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>$15,332 \u00f7 $29,600 \u2248 0.5186 = 51.86%<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This means the woman earned a 51.86% commission on her total sales, a high but plausible rate in certain commission-heavy sales industries like siding or roofing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Compared to other choices, option C provides a realistic calculation that fits the given figures. Therefore, based on the calculations and reasoning, the correct total earnings of the aluminum siding saleswoman for the year is:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u2705 <strong>$32,732<\/strong> (Answer C).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/learnexams.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/learnexams-banner4-673.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-229001\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n<\/blockquote>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>An aluminum siding saleswoman earns a base pay of17,400peryearandacommissionof1829,600 worth of merchandise last year, what were her total earnings last year? A.\u00a022,728B.41,672 C.\u00a043,868D.32,732 1829,600 worth of merchandise last year, what were her total earnings last year? A.41,672 C.32,732 The Correct Answer and Explanation is: Given: We are not given a commission rate explicitly, but based [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"categories":[25],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-229000","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-exams-certification"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.learnexams.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/229000","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.learnexams.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.learnexams.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.learnexams.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.learnexams.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=229000"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.learnexams.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/229000\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.learnexams.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=229000"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.learnexams.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=229000"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.learnexams.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=229000"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}