- Add the individual prices of the water bottle, flashlight, toothbrush, and compass to find the subtotal: \(1.50 + 2.99 + 1.29 + 3.29 = 9.07\).
- Calculate the 7% sales tax on the subtotal: \(9.07 \times 0.07 = 0.6349\).
- Add the subtotal and tax to find the final total: \(9.07 + 0.6349 = 9.7049\).
- Round the result to the nearest hundredth to get the final total of \(\boxed{\$9.70}\).
Explanation
- Calculating the Subtotal
To find the total cost of the items including tax, we first calculate the subtotal by adding the prices of each item.
- Water Bottle: \(\$1.50\)
- Flashlight: \(\$2.99\)
- Toothbrush: \(\$1.29\)
- Compass: \(\$3.29\)
Summing these gives the subtotal:
\[Subtotal = 1.50 + 2.99 + 1.29 + 3.29 = 9.07\]
The subtotal for these items is \(\$9.07\).
- Calculating the Sales Tax
A sales tax rate of 7% applies to this subtotal. To calculate the tax amount, we multiply the subtotal by the tax rate:
\[Tax = 9.07 \times 0.07 = 0.6349\]
The sales tax amount is \(\$0.6349\).
- Calculating the Total Cost
Finally, we add the tax to the subtotal to find the total cost of the items:
\[Total = 9.07 + 0.6349 = 9.7049\]
Rounding the result to the nearest hundredth, we get \(\$9.70\). Thus, the total cost for the four items is \(\boxed{\$9.70}\).
Examples
Understanding how to calculate sales tax is an essential life skill. When shopping, you can use this method to estimate the final price at the register, helping you budget your money more effectively. For example, if you are buying school supplies or gifts, calculating the tax beforehand ensures you have enough money to cover the purchase. It is a foundational application of percentages in personal finance.