Final answer:
The merchant's final cost after applying the discounts of 10% and 6% on the initial shipment cost of $36,000 is $30,456. They sold the clothes to a customer at a price of $44,161.20, which includes a 21% profit on the cost and 24% overhead expenses.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question asks us to calculate the cost to the merchant for the purchase of a shipment of clothes after applying two discounts, and then to find the selling price to the customer including a profit and overhead expenses based on this cost.
Step 1: Calculate the Net Cost
Original Cost of shipment = $36,000
First discount of 10% = 0.10 × $36,000 = $3,600
Subtracting first discount: $36,000 - $3,600 = $32,400
Second discount of 6% = 0.06 × $32,400 = $1,944
Subtracting second discount: $32,400 - $1,944 = $30,456
Step 2: Calculate the Selling Price
Profit of 21% = 0.21 × $30,456 = $6,395.76
Overhead expenses of 24% = 0.24 × $30,456 = $7,309.44
Adding profit and overhead to the net cost: $30,456 + $6,395.76 + $7,309.44 = $44,161.20
Therefore, the merchant purchased the clothes at a cost of $30,456 and sold it to a customer for $44,161.20.