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?
/ Vocabulary:
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.

______

______

______

______

______

______

4. Describe when Pay Option B would allow you to earn the most amount of money per month. Justify your conclusion with mathematical information.

______

______

______

______

______

______

______

5. Describe when Pay Option C would allow you to earn the most amount of money per month. Justify your conclusion with mathematical information.

______

______

______

______

______

______

______

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?

  1. $186
  2. $1,671
  3. $3,899
  4. $18,566