Charles wants to buy a sewing machine in a city with a 5% sales tax. He has at most $632 to spend, in what price range should be look?

Answer 1

1.05x = 632
x = 632/1.05 = 601.90

The machine should cost less than 601.90

Answer 2

I am doing something wrong I need some help, I solve as follow:

x+0.05<632
x<632/0.05
x<???????

Answer 3

Thank you Reiny, Why I have to divide 632/1.05? I was dividing 632/0.05, I need to understand for future similar problems, I really appreciate your help, I finished school almost 30 years ago, I decided to go back to school an obtain a degree, I try my best but so many years out of school is challenging.

Answer 4

When you pay for an item with sales tax of 5%
you pay the price + the sales tax
= 100% + 5%
= 1 + .05
= 1.05

similary a sales tax of 7% ---> you pay 1.07
etc

Answer 5

you showed this:
x+0.05<632
x<632/0.05
x<???????

following my argument, you should have had

x + .05x < 632
x is a common factor
x(1 + .05) < 632
x(1.05) < 632

ahhh, now you see where that 1.05 comes from, right ?