Using Percents - Calculating Commissions

Using Percents - Calculating Commissions A percent is a value divided by 100. For example, 80% and 45% are equal to 80/100 and 45/100, respectively. Just as a percent is a portion of 100, an actual quantity is part of an unknown whole. This article focuses on using percent and proportions to solve for that unknown whole. Finding the Whole in Real Life: Commissions Real estate agents, car dealers, and pharmaceutical sales representatives earn commissions. A commission is a percentage, or part, of sales. For example, a real estate agent earns a portion of the selling price of a house that she helps a client purchase or sell. A car dealer earns a portion of the selling price of an automobile that she sells. Example: Real Estate AgentNoà « aims to earn at least $150,000 as realtor this year. He earns a 3% commission. Whats the total dollar amount of houses that he must sell to reach his goal?What do you know?Noà « will earn 3 dollars per 100;Noà « will earn 150,000 dollars per ? 3/100 150,000/xCross multiply. Hint: Write these fractions vertically to get the full understanding of cross multiplying. To cross multiply, take the first fractions numerator and multiply it by the second fractions denominator. Then take the second fractions numerator and multiply it by the first fractions denominator.3 * x 150,000 * 1003x 15,000,000Divide both sides of the equation by 3 to solve for x.3x/3 15,000,000/3x $5,000,000Verify the answer.Does 3/100 150,000/5,000,0003/100 .03150,000/5,000,000 .03 Exercises 1. Ericka, a real estate agent, specializes in leasing apartments. Her commission is 150% of her clients monthly rent. Last week, she earned $850 in commission for an apartment that she helped her client to lease. How much is the monthly rent? 2. Ericka wants $2,500 for each leasing transaction. For each transaction, she earns 150% of her clients monthly rent. How much must her clients rent be for her to earn $2,500? 3. Pierre, an art dealer, earns 25% commission of the dollar value of the art pieces that he sells at the Bizzell Gallery. Pierre earns $10,800 this month. What is the total dollar value of the art that he sells? 4. Alexandria, a car dealer, earns 40% commission of her luxury vehicles sales. Last year, her salary was $480,000. What was the total dollar amount of her sales last year? 5. Henry is an agent for movie stars. He earns 10% of his clients’ salaries. If he made $72,000 last year, how much did he clients make in all? 6. Alejandro, a pharmaceutical sales representative, sells statins for a drugmaker. He earns a 12% commission of the total sales of the statins that he sells to hospitals. If he earned $60,000 in commissions, what was the total dollar value of the drugs that he sold?