Final answer:
The total amount paid including sales tax and tip is calculated by first adding 4% sales tax to the original price, and then adding a 20% tip based on the post-tax amount.
Step-by-step explanation:
To calculate the total amount paid after including a 4% sales tax and a 20% tip, you can follow this two-step process. First, you calculate the total including tax by multiplying the original price by 1.04 (to account for the 4% sales tax). Next, you calculate the total including the tip by taking the amount including tax and multiplying it by 1.20 (to account for the 20% tip).
Mathematically, if the price before tax and tip is P, the total amount paid T is calculated as T = P × 1.04 × 1.20. This incorporates both the sales tax and tip in one formula.
This method ensures that the tip is calculated based on the post-tax amount, as is customary in many service industries, such as dining at a restaurant.