A Cd usually sells for $17.00. If the CD is 10% off, and sales tax is 6%, what is the total price of the CD, including tax

Question

I forgot if you find the tax before or after the discount

Answer 1

Tax is always after the total Judy Rachel.

(17-17(0.10))+(17-17(0.10))(0.06)

Can you finish it from here?

Answer 2

Hello Rachel,

 

Interestingly enough, it doesn't matter in which order you multiply those numbers.

 

Recall the commutative property of multiplication: a*b = b*a

This can extend to three terms: a*b*c = a*c*b , or any other rearrangement of a*b*c.

 

So if your CD is $17.00, and you multiply that number by 0.90 to find its price at 10% off, and then you multiply it by 1.06 to include the sales tax...

The result will be exactly the same if you multiply $17.00 first by 1.06, and then by 0.90.

 

However at a typical real-life store, the CD discount is usually applied first, and then sales tax is calculated at the end of the order. Keep in mind - this ordering doesn't change the final result, according to the commutative property of multiplication.

 

Hope that helps,

Joseph

Answer 3

Figure the tax after taking the discount.  The store only pays tax on the money it actually collects.

 

Therefore, take 10% of 17 (17 x .1) and subtract it from the original amount.

 

Then you can multiply this "sales price" by .06 to get the tax.