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Calculating the total cost of an item is essential in everyday shopping, especially when a sales tax applies. The total cost consists of the item's original price plus any sales tax. Understanding this helps you manage your budget better while shopping. Let's break it down:

• Start with the original price of the item. This is the price tag amount before any additional charges.
• Calculate the sales tax using the sales tax rate, which we'll dive deeper into in the next section.
• Add the calculated sales tax to the original price of the item to get the total cost.

These steps are fundamental, whether you shop online or in-store. Once you understand them, you can effortlessly tackle any sales tax-related question.

Converting a percentage to a decimal is key for correct mathematical calculations, including those involving sales tax. A percentage is a way to express a number as a fraction of 100. For instance, "5%" means 5 per every 100.To convert a percentage into a decimal, simply divide by 100. Here's how you can do it:

• Take the percentage value. For example, 5%.
• Divide this number by 100, turning it into a decimal: \( 5 \div 100 = 0.05 \).
• Now, you can use this decimal value in further calculations, like multiplying it with the item's original price to find the sales tax.

Conversion from percentage to decimal is a simple yet crucial step. It allows you to perform various calculations necessary for real-world scenarios.

Solving mathematical problems, like calculating sales tax, involves following a series of logical steps. Let's go through these methodically. First, read the problem carefully to understand what is required. Are you asked to find the sales tax, the total cost, or both? Clarifying this will set the stage for the next steps. Next, ensure you have everything needed for your calculations:

• The original price of the item.
• The sales tax rate, usually expressed as a percentage.

Then, proceed step by step: - Compute the sales tax which typically involves converting the percentage to a decimal and multiplying it by the original price. - Finally, add the computed sales tax to the original price to get the total cost. Being organized and methodical greatly aids in tackling any problem. By following structured steps, you not only solve the problem at hand but also develop a valuable skill set for tackling diverse mathematical challenges.