A SALESPERSON’S DILEMMA
Enduring Understanding: Develop a better understanding of how to write and solve systems of equations within a given context and interpret and communicate information obtained from the equations.
Essential Questions:
Original Lesson / Suggestions for English Language Learners- How is an equation written from information provided?
- How is the relevant information organized?
- How is a pay option evaluated?
- How is information included in an equation and that equation solved?
Relevant
Pay option
Commission
Lesson Overview:
Original Lesson / Suggestions for English Language Learners- Before allowing the students the opportunity to start the activity: access their prior knowledge regarding how people are paid for work performed. What is meant by being paid a “commission”? Ask how the students about their work experiences—pay situations and other aspects of their jobs.
- Allow for collaboration among the students.
- How is a problem situation decoded so that a person understands what is being asked?
- What information should be extracted and used to support a position or statement?
- The warm-up of Ernie Elephant would be good to use with this activity.
- The expectation is that most students will attempt questions 3-5 graphically. It will be important for the teacher to help them make the connections between the algebraic and graphical representations to solve the system of equations.
- How will the students make their thinking visible?
- Use resources from your building.
- NOTE: Question 7 has insufficient information to allow a solution.
- Have students discuss ways people are paid. Chart the results as a whole group (modeling).
- Draw a diagram showing base salary and possible supplements to the base: commission, overtime, travel, contract work, etc.
- See ELL versions.
- Offer options of wall chart (chart paper), powerpoint, document camera, etc.
EALRs/GLEs
1.5.4
1.5.6
4.2.2
5.1.2
Item Specifications: AS02; AS03; CU02; MC01
Assessment:
Original Lesson / Suggestions for English Language Learners- Use WASL format items that link to what is being covered by the classroom activity
- Include multiple choice questions
- Have students create a rubric to score the activity.
A Salesperson’s Dilemma
A company opened a new store last week. You have just been offered a job as a salesperson in that store. The manager has given you three different pay options:
Pay Option A – You earn $1000 a month plus 10% commission of yourtotal monthly sales.
Pay Option B – You earn $350 a month plus 20% commission of yourtotal monthly sales.
Pay Option C – You earn $1500 a month with no commission.
1. Write an equation for each pay option, using T for total monthly sales, andE for your monthly earnings.
Pay Option A:______
Pay Option B:______
Pay Option C:______
2. The company has three different stores. The meantotal monthly sales for salespersons in each store is$4000 at Store 1, $7000 at Store 2 and $5000 at Store 3.
a. Use your equations to determine the best pay option for a salesperson at Store 1? Show all calculations.
The best pay option at Store 1 would be ______
b. Use your equations to determine the best pay option for a salesperson at Store 2? Show all calculations.
The best pay option at Store 2 would be ______
c. Use your equations to determine the best pay option for a salesperson at Store 3? Show all calculations.
The best pay option at Store 3 would be ______
3. Describe when Pay Option A would allow you to earn the most amount of money per month. Justify your conclusion with mathematical information.
______
______
______
______
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4. Describe when Pay Option B would allow you to earn the most amount of money per month. Justify your conclusion with mathematical information.
______
______
______
______
______
______
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5. Describe when Pay Option C would allow you to earn the most amount of money per month. Justify your conclusion with mathematical information.
______
______
______
______
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______
6. Sam has a business that helps people plan parties. He rents tables for $7 each, chairs for $2 each, plates for $0.50 each and glasses for $0.25 each. Sam also charges a $50 setup fee. If “T” represents tables, “C” chairs, “P” plates and “G” glasses, which expression represents the total charges for rental and services?
A
B
C
D
7. Which equation best represents the total salary (T) that an employee makes for selling any (n) number of television sets?
A.
B.
C.
D.
8. A couple bought a house and calculated that they would pay 30% of their combined monthly income of $5,569.75 toward the monthly mortgage payment on the house. Approximately how much will the couple pay for their monthly mortgage payment?
- $186
- $1,671
- $3,899
- $18,566