Percentages

Question

You and your family go to dinner at a local restaurant in Rexburg, Idaho and your online banking report shows that the total dinner bill (food, tax, and tip) was for $52. Suppose also that you have not kept your receipt, but do remember that you paid a 15% tip for the service. What was your bill prior to calculating the tip (that is, for food and tax only)?

$_____ (Round your answer to the nearest cent.)

Answer 1

100% of $52 would be $52. So 85% of $52 would $52 minus the 15% tip. Therefore, you can multiple 85% by $52.

 

$52 x 0.85 = $44.20

 

Another way to do this: multiply 15% by $52, then subtract the amount you get from $52. But it's the same result, because 100% minus 15% is 85%, all you did was add an extra step.