Answer:
$292,372.88
Step-by-step explanation:
Let's say we want to increase some number <em>x</em> by 18%. We know we can't just multiply <em>x </em>by 18% since
, which doesn't make sense if we are trying to <em>increase</em> x. Instead, we must multiply by 118%. This is because we want to add 18% of <em>x</em> back onto <em>x.</em> This is exactly like saying
, since that expression is equal to
.
Now, let's say that some number <em>y</em> is equal to our number <em>x</em> that was increased by 18%. Then, we know that
from our equation above. If we solve this equation for x, we find that
.
Now, notice that in this equation, <em>y </em>could represent the man's salary this year, and <em>x</em> could represent his salary last year. This is because his salary increases by 18% annually, so <em>y </em>is simply his last year's salary, <em>x</em>, increased by 18% (
).
Finally, we can easily just plug in our numbers for y and x in our equation that's solved for x:
, and we find our answer.