Final answer:
To find the total cost of a camera priced at $537.99 with a 7.5% sales tax, calculate the sales tax by multiplying the price by the tax rate converted to a decimal, which equals $40.35. Add that to the original price to get a total cost of $578.34.
Step-by-step explanation:
To calculate the total cost of a camera with a listed price of $537.99 and a sales tax rate of 7.5%, you need to first find the amount of sales tax and then add it to the original price. To convert the sales tax rate into a decimal for calculation, shift the decimal point two places to the left, which turns 7.5% into 0.075. Then, multiply the original price by this decimal:
$537.99 × 0.075 = $40.35 (rounded to the nearest cent).
Add the sales tax to the original price to find the total cost:
$537.99 + $40.35 = $578.34
Therefore, the total cost of the camera with a sales tax included is $578.34 when rounded to the nearest cent.