Thread: Word problem dealing with inequalities. Help!

The percentage method of withholding for federal income tax (2003) states that a single person whose weekly wages, after subtracting withholding allowances, are over $592, but not over $1317, shall have $74.35 plus 25% of the excess over $592 withheld. Over what range does the amount withheld vary if the weekly wages, after subtracting withholding allowances, vary from $600 to $1200 inclusive?

^That might as well be written in Greek. I have no idea what to do!

Please hep!

Originally Posted by Danny Relic

The percentage method of withholding for federal income tax (2003) states that a single person whose weekly wages, after subtracting withholding allowances, are over $592, but not over $1317, shall have $74.35 plus 25% of the excess over $592 withheld. Over what range does the amount withheld vary if the weekly wages, after subtracting withholding allowances, vary from $600 to $1200 inclusive?

^That might as well be written in Greek. I have no idea what to do!

Please hep!

Hello Danny,

The wording is somewhat confusing, I'll agree.

I think this could be the answer, though.

The low end of the weekly wage range is $600. Withholding on that amount according to your formula would be:

$74.35 + 25%($600 - $592) = $76.35

The upper end of the weekly wage range is $1200. Withholding on that amount according to your formula would be:

$74.35 + 25%($1200 - $592) = $226.35

So, the range of withholding varies from $76.35 to $226.35.