Final answer:
John's annual salary increase is $1,600, which is calculated by dividing the total increase over 5 years ($8,000) by 5. Thus, after 3 years, his salary would be $20,000 plus 3 times the annual increase ($4,800), totaling $24,800. The closest option is C) $24,000.
Step-by-step explanation:
To determine John's salary after 3 years of work, we first calculate the annual increase in his salary. John's salary increased from $20,000 to $28,000 over 5 years, which is an increase of $8,000. The annual increase is then $8,000 / 5 years = $1,600 per year.
Now, to find John's salary at the end of 3 years, we add three times the annual increase to his starting salary:
Salary after 3 years = Starting salary + (3 years * annual increase)
= $20,000 + (3 * $1,600)
= $20,000 + $4,800
= $24,800
Therefore, the correct answer is C) $24,000.
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