Question

Carla purchased a hat for $12, a purse for $26, and a dress for $125. The sales tax rate was 5.6 percent. What was the total amount she paid?

Answer 1

First, add all the base price of the items she bought. 
                          $12 (hat) + $26 (purse) + $125 (dress) = $163
The total amount she paid is the sum of the basic price and the sales tax which is 5.6% of the prices.
                            ($163) + (0.056)($163) = $172.128 
Therefore, Carla paid $172.128. 

Answer 2

12 + 26 + 125 = 163
163 + 0.056(163) = 163 + 9.13 = 172.13