Question 141340
Notice that the problem can be represented by the following equation:

3x+y=99.84  where x are the three pairs of jeans, and y is the amount of tax paid.

If x=32,

3(32)+y=99.84
96+y=99.84
y=3.84

The amount of tax paid was $3.84. Now, each pair of jeans had a total tax of 3.84/3=$1.28. To find the tax rate then, we take 1.28/32=.04. This makes the tax rate 4%.

Check: 32*1.04=33.28
33.28*3=99.84
and 96*1.04=99.84