Question

samuel buys office supplies for his home business. the office supplies cost $175.79 before taxes. the sales tax rate is 8.25%. what is the total amount samuel will pay with tax included?
$190.29
$161.29
$14.50
$145.02

Explanation:

Step1: Calculate the tax amount

First, we need to find the sales tax amount. The formula for sales tax is \( \text{Tax} = \text{Cost before tax} \times \text{Tax rate} \). The cost before tax is $175.79 and the tax rate is 8.25% or 0.0825 in decimal form. So, \( \text{Tax} = 175.79 \times 0.0825 \). Let's calculate that: \( 175.79 \times 0.0825 \approx 14.50 \) (this is the tax amount, but we need the total including tax).

Step2: Calculate the total amount

The total amount is the cost before tax plus the tax amount. So, \( \text{Total} = 175.79 + 14.50 \). Alternatively, we can use the formula \( \text{Total} = \text{Cost before tax} \times (1 + \text{Tax rate}) \). Using the second formula: \( 175.79 \times (1 + 0.0825) = 175.79 \times 1.0825 \). Let's compute that: \( 175.79 \times 1.0825 \approx 190.29 \).

Answer:

$190.29