Algebra II book problem!!!?

Question

You buy a jacket, and the sales tax is 6%. The total cost is $79.49. Find the cost of the jacket before the tax.

Please explain. =)

Answer 1

The cost of the jacket = 100%

The tax = 6%

Total cost = 106%. But we want it without the tax, so we only want 100% of it. So, we divide 106% by 106 to get 1%, and then multiply it by 100 to get 100%. So, let's do it:

$79.49

--------- * 100 = cost

106

= $74.99

Answer 2

lets say x = price before tax

so x *1.06 = 79.49

so x = 79.49/1.06 = 74.99

Answer 3

Cost of jacket pre tax is J

tax is 6%=0.06*j

Total cost =79.49=J+.06j=1.06j

79.49/1.06=J=74.99

Answer 4

Let X be your retail price before tax

X + 0.06X will give the total sale price.

we know the total cost is $79.49, so

X + 0.06X = 79.49

X*(1.06) = 79.49

X = 74.99

Retail Price = $74.99