Question

Penny works 43 hours at an hourly rate of $8.50. She was paid time and a half for the overtime. What were her total wages?

a) $365.75
b) $354.25
c) $399.50
d) $385.75

Answer 1

Penny's total wages for 40 hours of standard work at $8.50 per hour and 3 hours of overtime at time and a half are $378.25.

Step-by-step explanation:

To calculate Penny's total wages, including her overtime pay, we need to follow these steps:

1. Identify the standard hours and the overtime hours worked. In this case, the standard workweek is typically 40 hours, meaning Penny has worked 3 hours of overtime (43 hours - 40 hours).
2. Calculate the standard pay for the first 40 hours. Penny's standard hourly rate is $8.50, so her standard pay for 40 hours is 40 hours × $8.50/hour = $340.
3. Calculate the overtime pay. Overtime is paid at time and a half, so the overtime rate is $8.50/hour × 1.5 = $12.75/hour. Her overtime pay is 3 hours × $12.75/hour = $38.25.
4. Add the standard pay and the overtime pay to find her total wages. $340 (standard pay) + $38.25 (overtime pay) = $378.25 (total wages).

Therefore, Penny's total wages for working 43 hours at an hourly rate of $8.50, with time and a half for overtime, would be $378.25.