marta's checkbook shows that she wrote a check for $987 for building materials. what was the price of the materials if the sales tax is 5%?

Question

marta's checkbook shows  that she wrote a check for $987 for building materials. what was the price of the materials if the sales tax is 5%?

jim_thompson5910 · Answer

let x = cost of the materials (before sales tax is added)

jim_thompson5910 · Answer

if the sales tax is 5%, then this means that she has to pay 0.05x dollars in sales tax

add this to the original amount x to get x+0.05x = 1.05x

jim_thompson5910 · Answer

this total is equal to 987, so

1.05x = 987

jim_thompson5910 · Answer

solve that for x

anonymous · Answer

I got 940 is that right?

jim_thompson5910 · Answer

that is correct

anonymous · Answer

Thank you so much I am taking online college and they don't show me how to do anything. : (

jim_thompson5910 · Answer

you're welcome, hopefully you can contact the teacher at least?

anonymous · Answer

Only sometimes I guess they're so busy with other students it takes them two days before they email me back.

jim_thompson5910 · Answer

that's quite a while, but I guess it's better late than never

anonymous · Answer

yea thanks again.

jim_thompson5910 · Answer

you're welcome