Question 869724
Let x = the cost of the bill before the tip



21% of the bill is the same as 0.21x



Add this to the bill to get x+0.21x = 1.21x



So the total bill (meal+tip) is 1.21x and this is equal to 52.03. Set the two equal and solve for x



1.21x = 52.03



x = 52.03/1.21



x = 43



The original bill (without tip) is <font color="red">$43</font>