Question

Yolanta got $2.72 in change from a $20 music store gift certificate. She paid 8% in tax. What did she spend before tax?

Answer 1

Yolanda spent $16 before tax.

Explanation:

This sort of thing used to stump me too, back in Algebra I.

Take a look at your givens. You know she paid an `8%` tax, and through subtraction, you know she spent a total of `$17.28`

Let `x` be the money Yolanta spent before tax.

Here's a standard equation using `x` to show the cost before tax.

`x + 0.08x = $17.28`

Combine like terms.

`1x+0.08x=17.28`

`1.08x=17.28`

Divide both sides by `x`'s coefficient

`17.28/1.08=x`

`x=16`