SOLUTION: I am good at math but really struggle with word problems. I have to find the equation for the word problem and can't figure out just how to do that when I need only one variable. I

Question 683740: I am good at math but really struggle with word problems. I have to find the equation for the word problem and can't figure out just how to do that when I need only one variable. I don't need help SOLVING the problem just need help in understanding how to find the equation in all of the word problem. Here is the word problem:
A womaan buys three pairs of jeans for $99.84, including sales tax. If each pair of jeans cost $32, what was the sales tax rate?
Answer by josmiceli(19441) (Show Source): You can put this solution on YOUR website!
The sticking point ( for me anyway ) is the exact meaning
of " each pair of jeans cost $32 "
That sounds ( to me ) like the cost/jean is without tax.
Based on that,
I can divide $99.84 by 3 and that gives me
( cost of 1 pair of jeans ) + ( tax on 1 pair of jeans )
it tells you that ( cost of 1 pair of jeans ) = $32
So, now I have
where is the tax on 1 pair of jeans
They applied the tax, to $32, so the tax RATE is
( to give you a percent )
Does this help?

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