Final answer:
The total cost of merchandise purchased in the first month of operations is $4638.90.
Step-by-step explanation:
To calculate the total cost of merchandise purchased in the first month of operations, you need to add up the values given in the list. Let's add them up:
- $56.75
- $43.25
- $65.00
- $25.50
- $18.75
- $59.00
- $21.50
- $44.50
- $12.50
- $43.00
- $89.50
- $99.35
- $235.75
- $300.50
- $678.25
Add them all together to get the total cost: $56.75 + $43.25 + $65.00 + $25.50 + $18.75 + $59.00 + $21.50 + $44.50 + $12.50 + $43.00 + $89.50 + $99.35 + $235.75 + $300.50 + $678.25 = $4638.90.