- Multiply each item's price by the tax rate of \(0.05\).
- Round the resulting products to the nearest hundredth (the nearest cent).
- Italian Salad tax: \(\boxed{\$0.20}\)
- Lasagna tax: \(\boxed{\$0.33}\)
- Spaghetti tax: \(\boxed{\$0.21}\)
- Fettuccine Alfredo tax: \(\boxed{\$0.41}\)
Explanation
- Problem Analysis and Calculation Strategy
To determine the sales tax amount for each dish, we multiply the original price by the tax rate of \(5\%\). Expressing the tax rate as a decimal, we use \(0.05\). The calculation for each item is \(\text{Tax} = \text{Price} \times 0.05\). Since we are working with currency, we round the final results to the nearest hundredth (the nearest cent). For values exactly in the middle of two cents (ending in 0.005), it is standard practice in finance to round up to the next cent.
- Calculating and Rounding Taxes
For the Italian Salad, the price is \(\$3.99\).
The tax is \(3.99 \times 0.05 = 0.1995\).
Rounding \(0.1995\) to the nearest hundredth gives \(\$0.20\).
For the Lasagna, the price is \(\$6.50\).
The tax is \(6.50 \times 0.05 = 0.325\).
Rounding \(0.325\) up to the nearest hundredth gives \(\$0.33\).
For the Spaghetti, the price is \(\$4.29\).
The tax is \(4.29 \times 0.05 = 0.2145\).
Rounding \(0.2145\) down to the nearest hundredth gives \(\$0.21\).
For the Fettuccine Alfredo, the price is \(\$8.17\).
The tax is \(8.17 \times 0.05 = 0.4085\).
Rounding \(0.4085\) up to the nearest hundredth gives \(\$0.41\).
- Final Results
The calculated sales tax amounts for each dish are:
- Italian Salad: \(\boxed{\$0.20}\)
- Lasagna: \(\boxed{\$0.33}\)
- Spaghetti: \(\boxed{\$0.21}\)
- Fettuccine Alfredo: \(\boxed{\$0.41}\)
Examples
Understanding how to calculate sales tax is an essential life skill. When shopping, the price you see on the shelf is often before tax is added. By knowing the tax rate of your local area, you can estimate the total cost at checkout, helping you manage your budget effectively. For example, if you are buying a meal for \(\$15.00\) and the tax is \(\$0.05\) per dollar, you can quickly determine that the tax is \(\$15.00 \times 0.05 = \$0.75\), making your total \(\$15.75\).