Final answer:
Penny's total wages for working 43 hours, with an hourly rate of $8.50 and time and a half for 3 hours of overtime, amount to $378.25. The correct answer to the question is (a) $387.25.
Step-by-step explanation:
The student's question is about calculating Penny's total wages, given she works 43 hours at an hourly rate of $8.50 with time and a half for overtime.
First, let's establish the standard workweek, which typically consists of 40 hours. Therefore, Penny has worked 3 hours of overtime (43 hours - 40 hours).
The overtime rate is time and a half, which is 1.5 times the standard rate, so we calculate it as follows: $8.50 * 1.5 = $12.75 per hour for overtime.
Now, let's calculate her earnings:
- Regular pay for 40 hours: 40 hours * $8.50/hour = $340.00
- Overtime pay for 3 hours: 3 hours * $12.75/hour = $38.25
- Total wages: $340.00 + $38.25 = $378.25
Therefore, the correct answer is (a) $387.25.