Question

Which answer shows a correct order to solve this story problem? Maurine had to pay $2.52 tax on her purchases. She bought 3 books for $12.99 each, 2 pens for $0.69 each, and a magazine for $2.99. How much did Maureen spend? A. Step 1: Add the price of a book and a pen. Step 2: Multiply by 3 and then by 2. Step 3: Add $2.99 to that result. Step 4: Add the tax to the total of the purchases. B. Step 1: Calculate the total price of the 2 pens. Step 2: Add $2.99 to that total. Step 3: Calculate the total price of the 3 books. Step 4: Add the tax to the price of the 3 books C. Step 1: Calculate the total price of the 3 books. Step 2: Calculate the total price of the 2 pens. Step 3: Add $2.99 to the total of the cost of the books and pens. Step 4: Add the tax to the total of the purchases. D. Step 1: Add $2.99 to the amount of the tax. Step 2: Calculate the total price of the 2 pens. Step 3: Calculate the total price of the 3 books. Step 4: Add the prices of the pens to the price of the books.

Answer 1

The usual choice would be
C. Step 1: find the price of the books; Step 2: find the price of the pens; Step 3: add the prices of the books, pens, and magazine; Step 4: add the tax.


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You can, of course, find and add the constituent prices in any order. Generally, you need to know that subtotal in order to figure the tax, which is then added to that subtotal. If you've ever done any shopping at a store where bills are added manually, or if you pay attention to any cash register receipt, you know this is the process.