Math for liberal arts

Question

Employees in 2012 paid 4.2% of their gross wages towards social security (FICA tax), while employers paid another 6.2%. How much will someone earning $30,000 a year pay towards social security out of their gross wages?

Answer 1

They will pay 4.2% of $30,000: ($30,000)×(0.042) = ____?

Answer 2

To be complete:

4.2% is 4.2/100 = .042

"of" means multiply.

.042 * 30,000 = $1260