 |
| ||
| |||
|
| Math Central | Quandaries & Queries |
|
Question from Theresa: I have a job that is $25,250 total to complete the job. The custome asked how muck am I charging. I told him I was charging 15% over the Cost. What is the formula to culcaulate the cost of the job. I do not know the cost at all I just gave him a number ($25,250) I am not sure what formula to use to culcate cost of the job???? Help thanks |
Hi Theresa.
Let's use algebra to solve the problem.
Let C = the cost. Then 15% of C is your surcharge. When you add these together, you get $25,250.
Remember that percentages can be written as decimals. 15% = 0.15. So we can write the question as follows:
C + (0.15
C) = $25250
We want to "solve for C" so we have to simplify:
1
(1 + 0.15)
1.15
Then to isolate C on the left side of the equal sign, we divide both sides by 1.15:
1.15
1.15 = $25250
C = $25250C = $21956.52
And this is the answer. Your cost is expected to be $21956.52, your surchange (perhaps this is your labour charge and the cost is your materials charge) is $3293.48 (that's 15% of $21956.52) for a total of $25250.
Hope this helps,
Stephen La Rocque.
| ||
| ||
| ||
 |
 |
|
Math Central is supported by the University of Regina and The Pacific Institute for the Mathematical Sciences.