Question 104691
Take a look at the problem.  Doesn't the amount $172.80 includes 100% of the cost of a room, plus another 8% of the cost?  This means that the $172.80 is actually 108% of the original cost.  The word OF means multiply.


108% OF the original cost is equal to $172.80
* * * Remember that 108% means 108 out of 100 or {{{108/100}}} * * *

so {{{(108/100)*x=172.80}}}




Now let's solve this equation.  
{{{(108/100)*x=172.80}}}


divide the 108 by 100 to get
{{{1.08x=172.80}}}


divide both sides by 1.08:
{{{(1.08x)/1.08=172.80/1.08}}}


the 1.08s cancel on the left and we do the division on the right side leaving us with:
{{{x=160}}}


This means that the cost of a room at the bed and breakfast was $160.00 per night.  Notice that 8% sales tax on this would be .08(160) or 12.80.  What's 160+12.80?  $172.80 or the total price!!!