anachandler529 08/29/2019 • Mathematics • Middle School Four items are purchased at prices of: \( \$ 5.30, \$ 1.29, \$ .53 \) and \( \$ .68 \). Sales tax applies at \( 5 \% \) of the total purchase price. What is the total charge? (2) SEE ANSWERS

To find the total charge, you first need to calculate the total cost of the items before tax. Adding the prices together: \[ 5.30 + 1.29 + 0.53 + 0.68 = 7.80 \] Next, calculate the sales tax by taking \( 5\% \) of the subtotal: \[ 0.05 \times 7.80 = 0.39 \] Finally, add the tax to the subtotal: \[ 7.80 + 0.39 = 8.19 \] So, the total charge is \( \$ 8.19 \). If you're ever unsure about your calculations, a good tip is to break things down into smaller steps, like adding one item at a time and keeping a running total. And don’t forget to double-check your math, especially with values that include decimals—those sneaky little numbers can sometimes lead to errors if you aren’t careful!