Question

Gabriella bought ff folders that cost $0.30 each and mm markers that cost $0.60 each. Sales tax is 3%. Which expression represents the total amount Gabriella paid, including tax?

Answer 1

To calculate the total amount Gabriella paid, including tax, we can break down the costs step by step:

1. **Calculate the cost of the folders**: If Gabriella bought \( ff \) folders, and each folder costs $0.30, the total cost for the folders is:
\[
0.30 \times ff
\]

2. **Calculate the cost of the markers**: If Gabriella bought \( mm \) markers, and each marker costs $0.60, the total cost for the markers is:
\[
0.60 \times mm
\]

3. **Calculate the total cost before tax**: The total cost before applying the sales tax is the sum of the costs of the folders and markers:
\[
\text{Total cost before tax} = (0.30 \times ff) + (0.60 \times mm)
\]

4. **Calculate the sales tax**: The sales tax is 3% of the total cost before tax. To express this as an equation:
\[
\text{Sales tax} = 0.03 \times \text{Total cost before tax}
\]

5. **Express the total amount Gabriella paid, including tax**: The total amount including sales tax is given by:
\[
\text{Total amount} = \text{Total cost before tax} + \text{Sales tax}
\]
Substituting the previous expressions gives us:
\[
\text{Total amount} = (0.30 \times ff) + (0.60 \times mm) + 0.03 \times ((0.30 \times ff) + (0.60 \times mm))
\]

6. **Factor out the common term**:
\[
\text{Total amount} = (0.30 \times ff) + (0.60 \times mm) + 0.03 \times ((0.30 \times ff) + (0.60 \times mm))
= (1 + 0.03) \times ((0.30 \times ff) + (0.60 \times mm))
= 1.03 \times ((0.30 \times ff) + (0.60 \times mm))
\]

Thus, the expression that represents the total amount Gabriella paid, including tax, is:
\[
1.03 \times ((0.30 \times ff) + (0.60 \times mm))
\]