Many applied problems involve making a choice between two or more options. In that case, you could flip a coin, but it doesn't seem likely you'll get very far in life using that approach. A better idea would be to use reasoning skills to make an informed decision. In some cases, that requires solving math problems, like the next one.

Problem $3$: So you've graduated from college and you're ready for that first real job. In fact, you have two offers. Dude! Sweet. One pays an hourly wage of $$20\mathrm{.}75$ per hour, with a $40-$hour work week. You work for $50$ weeks and get $2$ weeks' paid vacation. The second offer is a salaried position, offering $$41,000$ per year, with an opportunity for a $$5,000$ performance bonus. Which job will pay more? Which sounds like the better opportunity financially?

$5.$ Understand the problem. Write down the important information provided in the text of the problem, and write a sentence clearly identifying what you're being asked to accomplish.

Job $\frac{?}{?}$#$7$

$\frac{20\mathrm{.}75}{h}r$;$50$weeks

$40hr\frac{s}{w}ek{k}^2$;$2$ wkspard vac

Devise a plan to solve the problem. What would you need to know about the first job in order to compare the amount of money you'd make to the second one? How can you find that out?