Question

Bill paid $35.99 in tax on a laptop that cost 499.99. About what percent sales tax did Bill pay?

Answer 1

let's say it's "x", and we know that x% is really $35.99.

we also know that the laptop cost is $499.99, so that's the 100%.

if 499.99 is the 100%, what is 35.99 off of it in percentage?

`\bf \begin{array}{ccll} amount&\%\\ \cline{1-2} 499.99&100\\ 35.99&x \end{array}\implies \cfrac{499.99}{35.99}=\cfrac{100}{x} \\\\\\ 499.99x=3599\implies x=\cfrac{3599}{499.99}\implies x\approx 7.198`

Answer 2

Answer: Bill paid 7.20% sales tax.

Explanation:

We are given , that

The cost price of laptop = $499.99

Tax paid on laptop = $35.99

The percentage of sales tax Bill paid =
`\frac{\text{Tax amount}}{\text{Cost price}}*100`

`\\\\=(35.99)/(499.99)*100\\\\=0.0719814396288*100\\\\=7.19814396288\%\approx7.20\%`

Hence, Bill paid 7.20% sales tax.