Mat 101 Problem Set

353 Words2 Pages
The problem you must solve is: The list price of an iPod speaker is $67.50. It is on sale for 20% off, and there is a 6% sales tax. The store calculates the sales tax on the $67.50, and then takes 20% off the total. Jonathan wants them to take the discount first and then calculate the tax, reasoning that the tax will then be calculated based on the lower price and he will pay less. 1. Is Jonathan correct? How much will he pay each way? 2. How do these results compare with the problem you solved in the discussion activity? In order to calculate the sales tax first, I: Multiplied $67.50 x $.06. This equals $4.05 (the sales tax total). Next, I added $67.50 + $4.05. This equals $71.55. I then multiplied $71.55 x $.20. This equals $14.31 (the discount price). In my last step, I calculated $71.55 - $14.31. This equals $57.24 the final price after the 6% tax and the 20% discount. In order to calculate the discount first, I: Multiplied $67.50 x $.20. This equals $13.50 (the discount total). Next, I calculated $67.50 - $13.50. This equals $54.00. I then multiplied $54.00 x $.06. This equals $3.24 (the sales tax total). In my last step, I added $54.00 + $3.24. This equals $57.24. 1. Is Jonathan correct? How much will he pay each way? Jonathan is incorrect as both methods yield the same answer $57.24. 2. How do these results compare with the problem you solved in the discussion activity? The methods are similar in the fact that price percentages were calculated in the same manner (i.e. sale price x discount (or increase)). Once you calculate the increase or discount, it is added or subtracted to/from the sale price. The individual needs to be mindful to turn all percentages into the appropriate decimal as 25% equals .25 or 6% equals .06, etc. Additionally, the decimals are expressed as $.25 or $.06 as they are calculating

More about Mat 101 Problem Set

Open Document