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Calculate earnings from hourly wages

This skill involves interpreting an hourly wage as a unit rate and calculating gross earnings by multiplying the wage per hour by the number of hours worked, including hours represented as decimals or fractions. Learners reason about units, check whether the result is reasonable, and understand the proportional relationship E=rhE = rh; deductions, overtime rules, changing wage rates, commissions, and other advanced payroll cases are not included.

Detailed Explanation: Calculate earnings from hourly wages

An hourly wage tells you how much money is earned for 1 hour of work. To find gross earnings, multiply the wage per hour by the number of hours worked:

E=rhE = rh

where:

  • EE = gross earnings
  • rr = hourly wage
  • hh = hours worked

Example: Jordan earns 16.50perhourandworksper hour and works7.5$ hours. How much does Jordan earn?

Step 1: Identify the values.

The hourly wage is 16.50perhour,andthetimeworkedisper hour, and the time worked ish=7.5$ hours.

Step 2: Multiply the hourly wage by the hours.

E=16.50Ă—7.5E = 16.50 \times 7.5

Break 7.57.5 into 7+0.57+0.5:

16.50Ă—7=115.5016.50 \times 7 = 115.50 16.50Ă—0.5=8.2516.50 \times 0.5 = 8.25

Add the amounts:

115.50+8.25=$123.75115.50+8.25=\$123.75

Step 3: State the answer with units.

Jordan’s gross earnings are 123.75$.

This answer is reasonable because working about 7.57.5 hours at about 16perhourshouldearnalittlemorethanper hour should earn a little more than7 \times $16=$112$.

Learn by doing: Calculate earnings from hourly wages

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