Step 1 :Define the variables: total hours worked (\(total\_hours = 53\)), normal hourly rate (\(normal\_rate = \$18.50\)), overtime rate (\(overtime\_rate = normal\_rate \times 1.5 = \$27.75\)), and normal hours per week (\(normal\_hours = 40\)).
Step 2 :Calculate the pay for the first 40 hours: \(normal\_pay = normal\_hours \times normal\_rate = 40 \times \$18.50 = \$740.00\).
Step 3 :Calculate the pay for the overtime hours: first, find the number of overtime hours (\(overtime\_hours = total\_hours - normal\_hours = 53 - 40 = 13\)), then calculate the overtime pay (\(overtime\_pay = overtime\_hours \times overtime\_rate = 13 \times \$27.75 = \$360.75\)).
Step 4 :Calculate the total pay: \(total\_pay = normal\_pay + overtime\_pay = \$740.00 + \$360.75 = \$1100.75\).
Step 5 :Final Answer: Susan Martinez earned \(\boxed{\$1100.75}\) for the first week of February.