Question 178709
A tire was sold for $35.65, which included the 4% state sales tax and an 11% federal tax. What was the original price of the tire before taxes?
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Let $x represent the price of the tire before taxes, then

(Price of tire) + (state tax) + (Federal tax) = (Selling Price)
       $x       +    .04x     +      .11x     =      $35.65


{{{x + .04x + .11x = 35.65}}}

Multiply every term by 100 to clear of decimals:

{{{100x + 4x + 11x = 3565}}}

{{{115x = 3565}}}

Divide both sides by 115:

{{{115x/115 = 3565/115}}}

{{{x = 31}}}

The tire before taxes sold for $31.00.

Check:
The tire before taxes cost           $31.00
The state tax on $31 is .04×$31 or   $ 1.24
The Federal tax on $31 is .11×$31 or <u>$ 3.41</u>
Total                                $35.65 

Edwin</pre>