Let's break this problem into two parts:
### Part a: Finding the tax rate
To determine the tax rate, we need to know the amount of sales tax on a specific cost of a meal and calculate it as a percentage of the meal cost.
Given:
- Cost of meal in 2020 = [tex]$54
- Sales tax in 2020 = $[/tex]5.94
The tax rate can be calculated using the formula:
[tex]\[ \text{Tax Rate} = \left( \frac{\text{Sales Tax}}{\text{Cost of Meal}} \right) \times 100 \][/tex]
Plugging in the given numbers:
[tex]\[ \text{Tax Rate} = \left( \frac{5.94}{54} \right) \times 100 \][/tex]
First, divide 5.94 by 54:
[tex]\[ \frac{5.94}{54} \approx 0.11 \][/tex]
Then, multiply by 100 to convert to a percentage:
[tex]\[ 0.11 \times 100 = 11\% \][/tex]
So, the tax rate on meals in Ruston, LA in 2020 is 11%.
### Part b: Calculating the sales tax for a different meal cost
Now that we know the tax rate, we can calculate how much sales tax would be added to a meal that costs [tex]$18.
Given:
- Cost of the meal = $[/tex]18
- Tax rate = 11%
The sales tax can be calculated using the formula:
[tex]\[ \text{Sales Tax} = \left( \frac{\text{Tax Rate}}{100} \right) \times \text{Cost of Meal} \][/tex]
Plugging in the numbers:
[tex]\[ \text{Sales Tax} = \left( \frac{11}{100} \right) \times 18 \][/tex]
First, divide 11 by 100:
[tex]\[ \frac{11}{100} = 0.11 \][/tex]
Then, multiply by the cost of the meal:
[tex]\[ 0.11 \times 18 = 1.98 \][/tex]
So, the sales tax added to a meal that costs [tex]$18 would be $[/tex]1.98.
### Summary:
a. The tax rate on meals in Ruston, LA in 2020 is 11%.
b. The sales tax that would be added to a meal that costs [tex]$18 is $[/tex]1.98.
