Final answer:
The salesman's commission is calculated by converting 5.5% to a decimal (0.055) and multiplying it by the total sales of $18,990, resulting in earnings of $1,044.45.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question asks how much a salesman earned in commission after selling 5 tablets totaling $18,990. Given that the salesman's commission is 5.5%, we must calculate 5.5% of $18,990 to find his earnings.
First, convert the percentage to a decimal by dividing by 100: 5.5% ÷ 100 = 0.055. Then, multiply the total sales amount by this decimal: $18,990 × 0.055 = $1,044.45.
Therefore, the salesman earned $1,044.45 in commission last week, which corresponds to answer choice (a).
Commissions are a form of variable-pay remuneration for services rendered or products sold. Commissions are a common way to motivate and reward salespeople.