I need help on this question

Question

There is a sales tax of
$24
on an item that costs
$276
before tax. A second item costs
$218.50
before tax. What is the sales tax on the second item?

Answer 1

Okay so first we have to find the tax percentage of the first item by dividing 24/276 which is .087 or 8.7%.

 

Multiply that percentage by the second item to get its sales tax.

 

($218.5)(.087)=$19.00 so the answer is $19.00

 

 

Answer 2

We can set up a proportion.

 

 

(sales tax on first item / original price of first item) = (sales tax on second item / original price on second item)

 

(24 / 276) = (x / 218.50)

 

Solve for x:

 

We cross multiply, giving us

 

276x = 24(218.50)

 

276x = 5244

 

 

Divide 276 on both sides of equation.

 

x = 19

 

The sales tax on the second item is $19.