Jason's salary and Karen's salary were each p percent greater in 1998 than in 1995. What is the value of p? (1) In 1995 Karen's salary was $2,000 greater than Jason's. (2) In 1998 Karen's salary was $2,440 greater than Jason's.

Answer: Hi, first lets give our variables some names.

Lets call Ks to Karen's salary and Js to Jason's salary.

then, in 1995:

Ks₁ - Js₁ = 2000$

in 1998:

Ks₂ - Js₂ = 2440$

now, we know that Ks₂ = (1 + p) * Ks₁ and Js₂ = (1+p) * Js₁

so we can write the second equation as:

p * (Ks₁ - Js₁) = 2440$

replacing the parentesis with the first equiation

(1+p) * (2000$) = 2440$

(1+p) = 2440/2000 = 1.22

so p = 0.22, or a 22%