Here’s a solution for the getAmount method of the Paycheck class in Java. This function calculates the paycheck amount by accounting for base pay, overtime, tax deductions, and union dues.

javaCopy code
public class Paycheck {
    private double hoursWorked;
    private double hourlyRate;

    // Constructor
    public Paycheck(double hoursWorked, double hourlyRate) {
        this.hoursWorked = hoursWorked;
        this.hourlyRate = hourlyRate;
    }

    public double getAmount() {
        // Calculate base pay and overtime pay
        double basePay;
        double overtimePay = 0;

        if (hoursWorked > 40) {
            basePay = 40 * hourlyRate;
            overtimePay = (hoursWorked - 40) * hourlyRate * 1.5;
        } else {
            basePay = hoursWorked * hourlyRate;
        }

        // Total gross pay before deductions
        double totalPay = basePay + overtimePay;

        // Determine tax rate based on totalPay
        double taxRate;
        if (totalPay < 200) {
            taxRate = 0.11;
        } else if (totalPay < 400) {
            taxRate = 0.15;
        } else if (totalPay < 600) {
            taxRate = 0.18;
        } else {
            taxRate = 0.24;
        }

        // Calculate the amount after taxes
        double taxedPay = totalPay * (1 - taxRate);

        // Deduct union dues
        double finalPay = taxedPay - 14;

        // Ensure final pay is not negative
        if (finalPay < 0) {
            finalPay = 0;
        }

        return finalPay;
    }
}

Explanation

1. Base and Overtime Pay Calculation:

   • The code first checks if the hoursWorked exceeds 40 hours.
   • If so, it calculates basePay for the first 40 hours and overtimePay for the additional hours at 1.5 times the hourly rate.
   • Otherwise, it calculates basePay by multiplying hoursWorked by hourlyRate.

2. Tax Deduction:

   • Based on totalPay, the code selects a tax rate from the provided ranges, then applies it to calculate the taxedPay.

3. Union Dues Deduction:

   • A fixed deduction of $14 for union dues is subtracted from taxedPay.
   • The final pay is capped at a minimum of $0 to avoid a negative paycheck.

Would you like more details on any step, or have questions?

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Related Questions

1. How would the calculation change if union dues were a percentage rather than a fixed amount?
2. What would happen if the tax rates were progressive instead of segmented?
3. How can the getAmount method handle cases where overtime is double pay instead of 1.5x pay?
4. What changes would be necessary if hours worked could exceed 60 hours?
5. How could the method be adapted for salaried employees with fixed weekly pay?

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Tip

Make sure to test getAmount with edge cases, like exactly 40 hours, less than 40, just over 40, and tax boundary values.