grandh01 wrote:A union contract specifies a 6 percent
salary increase plus a $450 bonus for
each employee. For a certain employee,
this is equivalent to an 8 percent salary
increase. What was this employee's
salary before the new contract?
(A) $21,500
(B) $22,500
(C) $23,500
(D) $24,300
(E) $25,000

let the salary before the new contract of the employ = x
6% salary increase = x + 6% of x = 1.06x
8% salary increase = x + 8% of x = 1.08x

According to the question

6% salary increase + $450 = 8% salary increase
1.06x + $450 = 1.08x
=> .02x = $450
=> x = $450/.02 = [spoiler]$22500[/spoiler]

The correct answer is B

Let the employee's salary before the new contract be $x. It then follows that:

1.06(x) + 450 = 1.08(x)
450 = x/50 => x = 450(50) = $22,500
Choose B.