Examkin

Question

Difficulty: HardDecimal Operations and Currency Word Problems

A supply sergeant is ordering office supplies for the base. He purchases 2.52.5 cartons of printer paper at $14.40\$14.40 per carton and 22 dozen pens at $0.85\$0.85 per pen. He applies a $6.40\$6.40 discount coupon to the entire purchase. After the discount is subtracted, an 8%8\% sales tax is added to the remaining balance. What is the final cost of the purchase?

  1. $54.00\$54.00Answer
  2. B
    $54.51\$54.51
  3. C
    $33.80\$33.80
  4. D
    $50.40\$50.40

Answer

$54.00\$54.00
The correct answer is $54.00\$54.00. The paper costs 2.5×$14.40=$36.002.5 \times \$14.40 = \$36.00. The pens cost 24×$0.85=$20.4024 \times \$0.85 = \$20.40. The total before the coupon is $36.00+$20.40=$56.40\$36.00 + \$20.40 = \$56.40. Subtracting the $6.40\$6.40 coupon gives a subtotal of $50.00\$50.00. An 8%8\% tax on $50.00\$50.00 is $4.00\$4.00, making the final total $54.00\$54.00.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Calculate the total cost of the printer paper.
2.5×$14.40=$36.002.5 \times \$14.40 = \$36.00
The unit price must be multiplied by the exact decimal quantity purchased.
2
Calculate the total cost of the pens.
22 dozen =24= 24 pens. 24×$0.85=$20.4024 \times \$0.85 = \$20.40
The quantity is given in dozens, which must be converted to individual units before multiplying by the unit price.
3
Find the total cost before the discount.
$36.00+$20.40=$56.40\$36.00 + \$20.40 = \$56.40
Add the individual totals together to find the gross purchase amount.
4
Subtract the discount coupon from the total.
$56.40−$6.40=$50.00\$56.40 - \$6.40 = \$50.00
The problem states the discount is applied to the total before sales tax is calculated.
5
Calculate the 8%8\% sales tax on the discounted balance and add it to the total.
$50.00×0.08=$4.00\$50.00 \times 0.08 = \$4.00. Then, $50.00+$4.00=$54.00\$50.00 + \$4.00 = \$54.00
Sales tax is applied as a percentage of the final discounted subtotal to find the final cost.

Key Concept

Multi-step decimal operations involving unit conversions, discounts, and percentage applications.
Rate this question

Topics

Decimal Operations and Currency Word Problems

More questions from this topic