Final answer:
The product of a worker's hourly wage amount and hours worked per pay period equals their gross pay.
Step-by-step explanation:
When calculating gross pay, multiplying the hourly wage by the number of hours worked in a pay period gives the total earnings before deductions. This computation is fundamental in determining an employee's compensation for a specific timeframe. For instance, if an individual earns $15 per hour and works 40 hours in a week, multiplying $15 by 40 yields a gross pay of $600 for that week.
Understanding this formula is essential for both employees and employers to accurately determine wages and manage payroll. It forms the basis for computing income, factoring in overtime or other variable pay rates, and serves as a foundation for tax deductions and other withholdings from an employee's paycheck.