There is a sales tax of $9 on an item that costs $120 before tax. The sales tax on the second item is $19.05. How much does the second item cost before tax?

Question

There is a sales tax of $9 on an item that costs $120 before tax. The sales tax on the second item is $19.05. How much does the second item cost before tax?

Answer 1

first find the sales tax percent

9/120=3/40=0.075=7.5%

the sales tax is 7.5%

19.05 is 7.5% of what number ?

19.05=0.075*C

19050=75C

C=19050/75

C=$254 is the cost before the tax

check: 0.075*254=$19.05