Question

The sales tax in Bill's state is 6%. Bill bought a Scion having a sales tax of $820. What was the cost of the car? Round to the nearest dollar.

A. $13,665
B. $13,666
C. $13,668
D. $13,667

Answer 1

Are you familiar with proportions?

Answer 2

not at all

Answer 3

maybe but i would have to refresh my memory

Answer 4

Ok.
Let's use percents then.
The sales tax is 6%.
The car before tax cost an unknown amount which we will call x.
The problem is telling us that 6% of x is $820

Ok so far?

Answer 5

okay

Answer 6

We translate the last statement into an equation and we solve the equation.

6% of x = $820

In math, "of" usually means multiplication.
Also, to change a percent to a decimal, divide the percent by 100.
6% = 0.06

6% of x = 820
6% * x = 820
0.06x = 820

Do you understand the steps above?

Answer 7

Now we need to solve for x.
Since x is being multiplied by 0.06, and we want x alone, we divide both sides by 0.06.

\(\dfrac{0.06x}{0.06} = \dfrac{820}{0.06} \)

\(x = \dfrac{820}{0.06} \)