Question

The cost of first-class postage in the United States increased approximately 5.4% in January of 2006 to 39 cents. What was the pre- January cost of the first-class stamp? Round your answer to the nearest penny.

Answer 1

39 cents divided by 1.054 = 37cents

Answer 2

d. $0.37

Explanation:

Let x be the pre-January cost of first class postage.

We have been given that the cost of first-class postage in the United States increased approximately 5.4% in January of 2006 to 39 cents.

This means that x plus 5.4% of x is equal to 39 cents ($0.39). We can represent this information in an equation as:

`x+(5.4)/(100)x=0.39`

Let us solve for x.

`x+0.054x=0.39`

`1.054x=0.39`

`(1.054x)/(01.054)=(0.39)/(1.054)`

`x=0.3700189753\approx 0.37`

Therefore, the pre-January cost of the first class stamp is $0.37 pennies and option d is the correct choice.