Question

At a music store, the price of a set of speakers is $245, plus the sales tax of 6.5%. What is the total cost of the speakers, including the sales tax?

Answer 1

So,

The total cost = cost + sales tax

cost + sales tax = x or total cost

1. cost = $245

2. sales tax = 0.065(cost)

245 + 0.065(cost) = x

Simplify
245 + 15.925 = x

Round to the nearest hundredth
245 + 15.93 = x

Collect Like Terms

260.93 = x

The total cost of the speakers, including tax, is $260.93.

Answer 2

In order to find out what the additional value of the sales tax would be,which is 6.5%, you have to find 1% of $245. Which is $2.45. As you're looking for 6.5%, you have to multiply $2.45 by 6.5, which gives you $15.93 (rounded). In order to find the cost including the sales tax, you have to add $15.93 to the original price of $245, which gives you $260.93. Therefore, the price of the speakers, including a sales tax of 6.5% is $260.93 Hope this helps :)