Final answer:
The transaction is likely the sale of merchandise for $149.00 with $8.49 sales tax, totaling $157.49. Sales tax is calculated by converting the percentage to a decimal and multiplying by the item cost.
Step-by-step explanation:
The transaction described in the entry is most likely b) Sold merchandise for $149.00 plus $8.49 sales tax. This is because the total given is $157.49, which is the original price of the goods plus an additional amount that can be attributed to sales tax. To calculate sales tax in a similar problem, you would convert the percentage to a decimal and multiply by the cost of the item. For example, if you have a $150.00 item with a 10% sales tax, you find the sales tax by multiplying: $150.00 x 0.10 = $15.00. The total cost, including sales tax, would then be $150.00 + $15.00 = $165.00.