Lena has been offered a job with two salary options. Option 1 starts at $31,000 and has a $500 raise each year. Option 2 starts at $29,000 and has a 4% raise each year.

Question

Lena has been offered a job with two salary options. Option 1 starts at $31,000 and has a $500 raise each year. Option 2 starts at $29,000 and has a 4% raise each year.

a. Write an equation f(x) to determine Lena's salary after x years under Option 1.

Answer 1

In a more of a step function solution,

f(n)=31000+500(n-1) ,,,, n=1,2,3,...

for all days in first year use n=1 for salary amount

for all days in second year use n=2 for salary amount

....

this way the salary doesn't have an x=1/2, x=3/4, x=3/2, etc.

in equation f(x)=31000+500x and theoretically

salary is 31250 at x=1/2

Answer 2

f(x) = 31000 + 500x