You have

several purchases you need to make from the grocery store.
From the grocery store you need to purchase 1/2 lb cheese, 2 lbs sliced ham, 2 loaves of
bread, 3 bags of potato chips, and 2 containers of salsa. You have a coupon for $3.00 off
if your purchase totals more than $25.00 or 10% off if the total is more than $30.00. The
food sales tax is 4%. What is your total purchase

Be sure to include in your response:

The steps you followed to complete your computations.

The choice you made regarding which discount to use.

The total cost of your purchases
Cheese-$2.99/ lb
Sliced Ham -$4.29/ lb
Bread-$2.49/ loaf
Potato Chips -$1.99/ each OR 2 for $3.00
Salsa-$3.39/ container

1 answer

To calculate the total purchase from the grocery store, we can break down the steps as follows:

Step 1: Calculate the Cost of Each Item

  1. Cheese:

    • Price: $2.99/lb
    • Weight: 0.5 lb
    • Cost: \( 0.5 \times 2.99 = 1.495 \) (approximately $1.50)
  2. Sliced Ham:

    • Price: $4.29/lb
    • Weight: 2 lbs
    • Cost: \( 2 \times 4.29 = 8.58 \)
  3. Bread:

    • Price: $2.49/loaf
    • Quantity: 2 loaves
    • Cost: \( 2 \times 2.49 = 4.98 \)
  4. Potato Chips:

    • Price: $1.99 each (or 2 for $3.00)
    • Quantity: 3 bags
    • Cost Calculation:
      • For 2 bags: $3.00
      • For 1 more bag: $1.99
      • Total cost for chips: \( 3.00 + 1.99 = 4.99 \)
  5. Salsa:

    • Price: $3.39/container
    • Quantity: 2 containers
    • Cost: \( 2 \times 3.39 = 6.78 \)

Step 2: Calculate Subtotal Before Discounts

Now, we can add up the costs of all items to find the subtotal:

  • Cheese: $1.50
  • Sliced Ham: $8.58
  • Bread: $4.98
  • Potato Chips: $4.99
  • Salsa: $6.78

Subtotal:
\[ 1.50 + 8.58 + 4.98 + 4.99 + 6.78 = 26.83 \]

Step 3: Apply Discounts

Now, we need to determine if we can use any discounts:

  1. Coupon for $3.00 off if the total is more than $25.00:

    • Our subtotal is $26.83, which qualifies for this coupon.
  2. 10% off if total is more than $30.00:

    • Our subtotal does not qualify for this discount.

Since the subtotal qualifies for the $3.00 off coupon, we will use that.

New total after coupon:
\[ 26.83 - 3.00 = 23.83 \]

Step 4: Calculate Sales Tax

Now, calculate the sales tax:

  • Sales Tax: 4% of $23.83
    \[ \text{Sales Tax} = 0.04 \times 23.83 = 0.9532 \] (approximately $0.95)

Step 5: Calculate Final Total Cost

Finally, add the sales tax to the total after the coupon:

Final Total:
\[ 23.83 + 0.95 = 24.78 \]

Summary of Calculations

  • Total cost before discounts: $26.83
  • Discount applied: $3.00
  • Total after discount: $23.83
  • Sales tax (4%): $0.95
  • Final Total Cost: $24.78

Conclusion

The total cost of your purchases, after applying the appropriate discount and including tax, is $24.78.