Question 164848
The best thing to do when you start a problem is ask yourself, "What am I trying to find?"  In this case you are trying to find the state tax.  Next we want to determine a formula for finding this.  We know that:
Total bill=sales price +tax

We can use any letter for each of these but I am choosing to use
(B)ill=(S)ales price+(T)ax or B=S*T
we also know that:
(T)ax=(S)ales price*Tax Rate(.06)

{{{2634.58=S+T}}}
substitute using {{{T=.06S}}}
and you get:
{{{2634.58=S+.06S}}}
combine like terms and you get
{{{2634.58=1.06S}}}
Divide each side by 1.06 and you get:
{{{S=2485.45}}}
Remember that S=Sales price and we are trying to find how much tax was paid.  So substitute 2485.45 in for S in the equation:
(T)ax=(S)ales price*Tax Rate(.06)
So:
T=2485.45*.06=$149.127 or $149.13

Now check your answer:
$2485.45+$149.13=$2634.577=$2634.58