Final answer:
To find the price of the watch without VAT, divide the total cost by 1 plus the VAT rate. The watch costs £84 with VAT and removing the 20% VAT results in a price without VAT of £70.
Step-by-step explanation:
The cost of the watch including VAT at a rate of 20% is £84. To find the cost without VAT, we need to reverse the VAT calculation. VAT is included in the total price, meaning the actual price is 100% and the VAT constitutes 20% on top of the actual price.
The formula for reversing the VAT is:
Cost without VAT = Total Cost including VAT / (1 + Rate of VAT)
So, let's calculate:
Cost without VAT = £84 / (1 + 0.20)
Cost without VAT = £84 / 1.20
Cost without VAT = £70
Therefore, the cost of the watch without VAT is £70.