Final answer:
The commission rate is calculated by dividing the commission earned by the total sales and then multiplying by 100%, resulting in a commission rate of 16% for the salesperson.
Step-by-step explanation:
To find the commission rate, you can use the formula: Commission Rate = (Commission Earned ÷ Total Sales) x 100%. In the given scenario, a salesperson sells $3800 in merchandise and earns a commission of $608. Using the formula provided, we calculate: (608 ÷ 3800) x 100% = 0.16 x 100% = 16%.
So, the commission rate is 16%.