Question

Mrs. Torres goes out of town on a business trip. She spends 3 nights in a hotel at a charge of $80 per night. She pays 9% tax on the room and tips the maid service 10% of the room charge. Mrs. Torres also has meals worth $109.30 before tax and she tips 15%. If the total cost of her trip is $420.04, approximately what tax rate does Mrs. Torres pay on her meals?
a.6%
b.7%
c.8%
d.9%

Answer 1

We are given the different rates and charges and is asked in the problem the unknown tax rate she pays on meals if the total cost of the trip is equal ot $420.04. In this case, the equation goes: 
80 x 3 + 80 x 0.1 x 3 + 80 x 0.09 x 3 + 109.3 x 1.15 + 109. 3 x z = 420.04
z = 0.08 

Answer 2

Answer:

c. 8%

Explanation:

first find the total room cost, and the tax and tip.

80 x 3 = $240 - 3 night rate

240 x 0.10 = $24 - maid tip

240 x 0.09 = $21.60 - room tax

then find the tip on the food.

109.30 x 0.15 = $16.40 - food tip

add it all together and subtract that from the total.

240 + 24 + 21.6 + 109.3 + 16.4 = 411.30 - total without the food tax

420.04 - 411.30 = 8.74 - food tax

now check each of the answers against the amount for the food tax.

109.30 x 0.06 = 6.56

109.30 x 0.07 = 7.65

109.30 x 0.08 = 8.74

109.30 x 0.09 = 9.84

So, the answer is C. 8%