Question

Chris works at Higgins’ Automart and is selling a new Shelby Mustang for $59,000. If he earns a commission of 3%, how much money does he earn? Write a proportion and show all steps of your work.

The answer I came up with is 177.

Answer 1

The answer I think would be 177

Answer 2

$1770

Explanation:

Remember that percent means "out of 100". 3% as a ratio is 3:100 or 3/100.

59,000 is the total amount, the whole, so it corresponds to 100%.

The problem is asking:

59,000 is to 100 as what is to 3?

59,000/100 = x/3

Cross multiply:

100x = 59,000 * 3

100x = 177,000

x = 1770

The commission is $1770.