Final answer:
To find the weekly earnings at a 1933 minimum wage of forty cents per hour for a 60-hour workweek, multiply the hourly wage by the total weekly hours. The result is $24.00 per week. This question also touches on the history and purpose of the minimum wage.
Step-by-step explanation:
In 1933, if the minimum wage was set at forty cents an hour and a person worked 10 hours a day for six days a week, we would calculate their weekly earnings by multiplying the hourly wage by the total number of hours worked in a week. The calculation would look as follows: $0.40/hour × 10 hours/day × 6 days/week, which equals to $24.00 per week.
The history of the minimum wage in the United States shows that the purchasing power of these wages has changed significantly over time. In many cases, such as those described, worker's safety and fair compensation were not prioritized. Over the years, minimum wage laws were enacted to help ensure workers could earn a basic standard of living, though these laws have been adjusted many times to reflect changes in the economy and cost of living.