A couple spent a total of $50.40 for dinner. This included a 20% tip and 6% sales tax on the price of the meal. What was the price of the dinner before tax and tip?

Question

what steps do you take to get the answer

Answer 1

$40

40+20% =40+ (1/5)(40 = 40+8 = $48

6% of 40 = $2.50

48+2.50 = $50.20

total price = $50.20 = original price, call it X + .20(X) + (.06)X = (1+.2 + .06)X = (1.26)X

X = 50.20/1.26 = $40