Mrs. torres goes out of town on a business trip. she spends 3 nights in a hotel at a charge of $80 per night. she pays 9% tax on the room and tips the maid service 10% of the room charge. mrs. torres also has meals worth $109.30 before tax and she tips 15%. if the total cost of her trip is $420.04, approximately what tax rate does mrs. torres pay on her meals?
a.6%
b.7%
c.8%
d.9%

c. 8%

Explanation:

first find the total room cost, and the tax and tip.

80 x 3 = $240 - 3 night rate

240 x 0.10 = $24 - maid tip

240 x 0.09 = $21.60 - room tax

then find the tip on the food.

109.30 x 0.15 = $16.40 - food tip

add it all together and subtract that from the total.

240 + 24 + 21.6 + 109.3 + 16.4 = 411.30 - total without the food tax

420.04 - 411.30 = 8.74 - food tax

now check each of the answers against the amount for the food tax.

109.30 x 0.06 = 6.56

109.30 x 0.07 = 7.65

109.30 x 0.08 = 8.74

109.30 x 0.09 = 9.84

So, the answer is C. 8%