Becky is looking for a new job as an account executive. She responds to a classified ad for a position that pays 34.5K. What would Becky’s weekly salary be to the nearest cent, if she gets this job?
The correct answer and explanation is:
To find Becky’s weekly salary, we need to convert the annual salary of $34.5K into a weekly amount.
Step-by-step Calculation:
- Convert $34.5K to a full number: 34.5K=34,50034.5K = 34,500
- Divide the annual salary by the number of weeks in a year (52): 34,50052=663.46 (rounded to the nearest cent)\frac{34,500}{52} = 663.46 \, (\text{rounded to the nearest cent})
✅ Correct Answer: $663.46
📘 Explanation (300 words):
Understanding how to calculate a weekly salary from an annual salary is a valuable skill, especially when evaluating job offers or budgeting personal finances. Annual salaries are commonly quoted in job postings and contracts, but people often think in weekly or monthly terms when managing expenses.
In this case, Becky is applying for a job with a salary listed as $34.5K—a shorthand way of saying $34,500 per year. To determine how much Becky would earn each week, we divide this yearly salary by the number of weeks in a year. Since there are 52 weeks in a standard year, the formula is straightforward: Weekly Salary=Annual Salary52\text{Weekly Salary} = \frac{\text{Annual Salary}}{52}
Applying the numbers: Weekly Salary=34,50052=663.4615…\text{Weekly Salary} = \frac{34,500}{52} = 663.4615…
Rounded to the nearest cent (two decimal places), Becky would earn $663.46 per week.
This figure is useful for comparing weekly take-home pay against weekly expenses like groceries, rent, transportation, and utilities. Keep in mind that this is the gross weekly salary, meaning it does not account for deductions such as taxes, insurance, or retirement contributions. Net pay—the actual amount Becky takes home—will likely be less.
Knowing how to perform such calculations helps individuals make informed career decisions, understand compensation structures, and better plan their personal and household budgets.