Final answer:
The total cost for Dakota's camera, factoring in a 4% sales tax on a price of $783.13, is $814.46. This is calculated by converting the tax rate to decimal form, multiplying by the item's price to find the tax amount, and adding it to the original price.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question at hand involves calculating the total cost of a digital camera after including the applicable sales tax. Given that Dakota buys a digital camera priced at $783.13 and the sales tax rate is 4%, we need to determine the final purchase price.
To calculate the sales tax, you must first convert the percentage into decimal form by dividing by 100, so 4% becomes 0.04. Then, you multiply the price of the camera by this decimal:
Sales Tax = Price × Tax Rate
Sales Tax = $783.13 × 0.04
Sales Tax = $31.3252
Since sales tax is generally rounded to the nearest cent, Dakota's sales tax would be $31.33. To find the total cost, you add the original price of the camera to the sales tax.
Total Cost = Price + Sales Tax
Total Cost = $783.13 + $31.33
Total Cost = $814.46
This means that Dakota will pay $814.46 for the camera including the sales tax.
Understanding how sales tax works is essential when managing finances and accurately predicting expenses in daily life. This example demonstrates how to calculate sales tax and determine the total cost of a purchase with added tax, which are fundamental skills in consumer mathematics.