The new bill is $60, but the sales tax is 5% of the bill. how much is sales tax?

1 Answer
Jul 20, 2018

Assuming the sales tax is applied after the new bill, the sales tax is $3.
Assuming the new bill is after the sales tax is applied, the sales tax is $2.86.

Explanation:

Assuming that the sales tax of 5% is applied after the $60 bill.

First I would convert the percentage to a decimal
5%=.05

Then multiply .05 by the bill
.05*$60=$3

The sales tax is $3 and the final bill is $63.

Assuming that the sales tax of 5% is applied and results on the $60 bill

First, convert the percentage to a decimal
5%=.05

We know the total bill is $60

We will set the bill before the tax equal to x

x+.05x=$60

Solve for x
1.05x=$60

x=$57.14
Rounded to the nearest cent

Now we subtract the price before the sales tax from the price after sales tax to find the sales tax
$60-$57.14=$2.86

The sales tax is $2.86