my resturant bill total came to $55.73 If sales tax is 71/2% what is the total cost of the meal not including the tip

Question

Juan and his family went on a vacation. They ate dinner at a restaurant one evening and the total for the meal came to $55.73. If sales tax 7 1/2% what is the total cost of the meal, not including tip.

Answer 1

$55.73 represents the cost of the meal M+7.5M/100=1.075M, so M=55.73/1.075=$51.84 before tax of $3.89.

Answer 2

Given total cost of dinner = $55.73

Tax = 7 1/2%

So 7.5% of $55.73 = $4.18

Hence $55.73-$4.18 = $51.55

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