Kendall's Vase - Tax

Task

Kendall bought a vase that was priced at \$450. In addition, she had to pay 3% sales tax. How much did she pay for the vase?

Solutions

Solution: Percent table

Students just beginning to study percents might work from a percent table.

100%	10%	1%	2%	3%
\$450.00	\$45.00	\$4.50	\$9.00	\$13.50

Adding the tax to the price of the vase gives the total cost of the vase:

13.50 + 450 = 463.50

Kendall paid \$463.50 for the vase.

Solution: Reasoning from a benchmark percent

Another approach is to find one percent of the \$450, which is \$4.50. Then 3% would be 3 times that amount which is \$13.50.

Adding the tax to the price of the vase gives the total cost of the vase:

13.50 + 450 = 463.50

Kendall paid \$463.50 for the vase.

Solution: Finding 3 percent of a quantity is the same as finding three-hundredths of that quantity

If students understand that finding 3% is the same as finding $\frac{3}{100}$ of 450, then they can simply multiply to find the tax

$$\frac{3}{100} \times 450 = 13.5$$

Adding the tax to the original price will produce the total cost.

13.50 + 450 = 463.50

Kendall paid \$463.50 for the vase.