In New York, state sales tax rates vary by county. In Allegany County, the sales tax rate is 8 1 2 %. A pair of shoes costs $29.99 and a shirt costs $15.99. Rounded to the nearest cent, how much more is the tax on the shoes than the shirt?

A) $2.30 more.

B) y=0.085x

C) A sample table is attached, listing the values for x, the process and the value for y.

Explanation

A) The amount of tax on a $12.99 book is given by 0.085(12.99)=1.10415≈$1.10.

The amount of tax on a $39.99 video game is given by 0.085(39.99)=3.39915≈$3.40.

This gives us a difference of 3.40-1.10 = $2.30.

B) Using x as the cost before tax and y for the amount of tax, we have the equation y=0.085x.

8.5% = 8.5/100 = 0.085.  To find the amount of tax, we multiply this rate by the cost, which gives us the equation above.