Alice Correa's Fabric Purchase Calculate Total Cost With Sales Tax

Introduction

In this article, we'll break down a practical math problem involving Alice Correa's fabric purchase. Alice needs cloth to make a dress and is taking advantage of a sale. Our goal is to calculate the total cost Alice pays, including the sales tax. This exercise combines basic arithmetic operations such as multiplication and percentage calculations, which are essential skills for everyday financial literacy. Let's dive into the details and solve this problem step-by-step.

Problem Breakdown: Cost Calculation for Alice's Fabric

The core of our problem revolves around determining the final price Alice Correa pays for three yards of cloth. The cloth is priced at $1.93 per yard, and there's a 5% sales tax to consider. To solve this, we'll first calculate the pre-tax cost by multiplying the yards of cloth by the price per yard. Then, we'll figure out the sales tax amount by calculating 5% of the pre-tax cost. Finally, we'll add the sales tax to the pre-tax cost to find the total amount Alice needs to pay. Understanding each step is crucial, and we'll ensure clarity as we proceed. The use of mathematical concepts like multiplication and percentages is fundamental in solving such real-world problems, emphasizing their importance in daily life. The problem also highlights the significance of understanding how taxes affect the final cost of goods, which is a vital aspect of financial planning. By dissecting the problem into manageable steps, we can demonstrate how mathematical principles apply to practical scenarios, enhancing both comprehension and application skills.

Step-by-Step Solution: Calculating the Total Cost

1. Calculate the Pre-Tax Cost

To begin, we need to find the total cost of the cloth before adding the sales tax. Alice bought three yards of cloth, and each yard costs $1.93. To find the pre-tax cost, we multiply the number of yards by the price per yard:

Pre-tax cost = Number of yards × Price per yard

Pre-tax cost = 3 yards × $1.93/yard

Performing this multiplication, we get:

Pre-tax cost = $5.79

So, the cost of the cloth before sales tax is $5.79. This initial step is crucial as it forms the base for our next calculation, which involves determining the sales tax amount. This calculation showcases a fundamental arithmetic skill: multiplication. Mastering this step is essential for accurately calculating the initial cost, thereby ensuring we arrive at the correct final price. This is a practical application of multiplication, illustrating its relevance in everyday financial transactions.

2. Calculate the Sales Tax Amount

Next, we need to determine the sales tax amount. The sales tax is 5% of the pre-tax cost, which we calculated in the previous step. To find 5% of $5.79, we multiply $5.79 by 0.05 (since 5% is equivalent to 0.05 in decimal form):

Sales tax = Pre-tax cost × Sales tax rate

Sales tax = $5.79 × 0.05

Performing this multiplication, we get:

Sales tax = $0.2895

Since we are dealing with money, we need to round this to the nearest cent. $0.2895 rounds up to $0.29. Thus, the sales tax amount is $0.29. This step illustrates the importance of understanding percentages and how they apply to real-world scenarios, specifically in calculating taxes. Rounding to the nearest cent is a practical consideration, ensuring accuracy in financial calculations. The ability to calculate percentages is a key skill in financial literacy, enabling individuals to understand and manage their expenses effectively.

3. Calculate the Total Cost

Finally, we add the sales tax to the pre-tax cost to find the total amount Alice paid for the cloth. We have a pre-tax cost of $5.79 and a sales tax of $0.29. Adding these together gives us:

Total cost = Pre-tax cost + Sales tax

Total cost = $5.79 + $0.29

Performing this addition, we get:

Total cost = $6.08

Therefore, Alice paid a total of $6.08 for the cloth, including sales tax. This final step combines the results of our previous calculations to arrive at the ultimate answer. It reinforces the importance of accurate addition in financial computations. The total cost represents the final amount Alice needs to pay, highlighting the impact of sales tax on the overall expense. This comprehensive calculation demonstrates how multiple mathematical operations come together to solve a practical, real-world problem.

Conclusion

In summary, Alice Correa paid a total of $6.08 for the three yards of cloth, including the 5% sales tax. We arrived at this answer by first calculating the pre-tax cost, then determining the sales tax amount, and finally adding these two values together. This exercise demonstrates the practical application of basic arithmetic skills, such as multiplication and percentage calculations, in everyday financial situations. Understanding how to calculate costs, including taxes, is essential for effective financial management and decision-making. By breaking down the problem into smaller, manageable steps, we can see how each calculation contributes to the final answer. This approach not only helps in solving the problem at hand but also enhances our understanding of the underlying mathematical principles involved.

Keywords

• Alice Correa fabric purchase
• Calculating total cost
• Sales tax calculation
• Pre-tax cost calculation
• Multiplication and percentages
• Financial literacy
• Practical math problem
• Real-world math applications