Finding minimum commission

Question

A salesman's monthly commission is 15% on all sales over $10,000. If his goal is to make a commission of at least $3300/month, what minimum monthly sales figures must he attain?

Answer 1

He must sell at least 32,000.  First, keep in mind that he, according to the information provided, does not make any commission for the first 10,000.  And he wants to make 3,300 in commission. So, the question becomes how much above the 10,000, must he sell.  Thus, the question now is 3,300 is 15% of what number? . There are many ways to do this problem.  This is one way.  I am going to set it up as a proportion. 

 

15%/ 100 = 3,300/ x . Using Cross Products, we have 15x = (100)(3000)

 

15x= 330,000

X= 22, 000

This is the minimum amount of extra sells, that is besides the 10,000, he must make in order to get the 3,300 commission.  So, in total he must sell at least 32,000.