Question Dominic goes'out to lunch. The bill, before tax and tip, was \( \$ 16.20 \). A sales tax of \( 5.5 \% \) was added on. Dominic tipped \( 15 \% \) on the amount after the sales tax was added. The total cost of the meal plus tip and tax was more than the cost of the bill by what percent? Round to the nearest whole number.

To determine the total cost of Dominic's meal, first, we calculate the sales tax: \[ \text{Sales Tax} = 16.20 \times 0.055 = 0.891 \] Now, we add the sales tax to the original bill: \[ \text{Total After Tax} = 16.20 + 0.891 = 17.091 \] Next, we calculate the tip on the total after tax: \[ \text{Tip} = 17.091 \times 0.15 = 2.56365 \] So, we add this tip to our total after tax to find the final total cost: \[ \text{Total Cost} = 17.091 + 2.56365 \approx 19.65465 \] The increase in cost compared to the original bill: \[ \text{Increase} = 19.65465 - 16.20 = 3.45465 \] Now we calculate the percent increase: \[ \text{Percent Increase} = \left( \frac{3.45465}{16.20} \right) \times 100 \approx 21.35 \%\] Rounding to the nearest whole number, the total cost of the meal plus tip and tax was more than the cost of the bill by approximately \( 21\% \). First Line: Did you know that sales tax rates can vary drastically depending on where you are? Some cities have rates as low as 1% while others can hit as high as 10% or more! It’s always a good idea to check the local rates before splurging on a meal, because that extra bit can really add up! Second Line: Tipping etiquette can also change based on setting or location! While 15% may be the standard in many places, in high-end restaurants, tips can go as high as 20% or more. Next time you dine out, consider the service quality and local customs to ensure you’re tipping appropriately!