Question

Sandra saves 12% of her salary for retirement. This year her salary was $3,000 more than in the previous year, and she saved $4,200. What was her salary in the previous year? (Example 3)

Answer 1

x=salary last year
Need an equation that represents 3000 more than last year's salary

12%(x + $3000) = $4200
multiply everything in parentheses by 12%

.12x + 360 = 4200
Subtract 360 from both sides

.12x = 3840
Divide both sides by 0.12

x= $32,000 salary last year

Hope this helps! :)