Problem 15 - Elementary Algebra

Question

The average weekly salary for a construction worker in May 2011 was S725. If a construction worker is employed for 50 weeks a year, find the employee's annual salary. (Source: www.bls.gov, July 2011)

Step-by-Step Solution

Answer

The annual salary is \( S\$36250 \).

Step 1: Understand the problem

The goal is to find the annual salary of a construction worker given the weekly salary and the number of weeks worked per year.

Step 2: Identify given information

The average weekly salary is given as \( S\$725 \), and the worker is employed for 50 weeks a year.

Step 3: Set up the calculation

To find the annual salary, multiply the average weekly salary by the number of weeks worked: \( 725 \times 50 \).

Step 4: Perform the multiplication

Calculate \( 725 \times 50 \).

Step 5: Calculate the result

Performing the multiplication: \( 725 \times 50 = 36250 \).

Key Concepts

average weekly salary

To solve the problem of finding an annual salary, we need to first understand the concept of an average weekly salary. The average weekly salary is simply the total earnings a worker receives each week on average. In this case, we are given that a construction worker earns an average of \( S\725 \) per week. This figure helps us estimate how much they will earn over a longer period, such as a year. Understanding weekly earnings is essential as it serves as the base number for our calculations.

multiplication

Multiplication is a fundamental math operation that enables us to find the total amount when we know the repeat-count and the unit amount. Here, we use multiplication to find the annual salary. We take the average weekly salary \( S\725 \) and multiply it by 50, which is the number of weeks a construction worker works in a year. The multiplication can be expressed as: \[ 725 \times 50 \] Performing this operation, we get \[ 36250 \], which means the construction worker earns \( S\36250 \) annually.

problem-solving steps

Solving math problems, especially word problems, requires following a series of logical steps. Here, we break down the problem of calculating the annual salary into manageable steps:

• Understand the problem.
• Identify the given information.
• Set up the calculation.
• Perform the multiplication.
• Calculate the result.

By understanding and applying these steps, solving the problem becomes more manageable and organized.

employment duration

Employment duration refers to the length of time a worker is employed. In our problem, the construction worker is employed for 50 weeks annually. This duration is crucial because it directly impacts the total annual salary. The number of weeks worked in a year can vary between professions and impacts annual earnings calculations. For effective problem-solving, always ensure you know the correct duration of employment to perform accurate calculations.