Real-Life Math -- Solution
1. How much will you be paid for the article (not including expenses)?
Article fee: 3,000 x $1.25 = $3,750
You'll receive $3,750 for the article.
2. What is the total of your expenses? Is it within 10 percent of your article fee?
Total expenses: (450 x $0.20) + (2 x $60) + (3 x $40) = $330
Your expenses will total $330.
Allowable expenses: $3,750 x 0.10 = $375
You're allowed to bill as much as $375, so you're within your limit at $330.
Freelance writers don't just work with words. If they're going to make a living, they need math skills too.
"If you're a freelancer, you're working from project to project," says freelance writer Dave Greber. "You have to [know] how to budget, how to manage your money, how to make it work over time for you."
Freelance writers use math skills when choosing their assignments. Some stories aren't feasible to write because of all the expenses. "If you don't know your mathematics, you're going to lose money," Greber says.
Math skills are also needed for writing about business. Freelance writers need to understand financial documents and catch any discrepancies. "So much of writing these days is about business, and you're a sitting duck if you can't even read a budget sheet."