At a local restaurant, a couple ordered two dinners for $12.50 each and two drinks for $1.50 each. if the couple left an 18% tip, what was the total cost of the meal?

First, you have to add up the cost of each meal and drink:
12.50 + 12.50 + 1.50 + 1.50 = 28

$28 is the cost before the tip. Now multiple 28 by .18 to find the tip:
28 x .18 = 5.04

The tip was $5.04. Add the 28 and the 5.04 to get the total cost:
28 + 5.04 = 33.04

ANSWER:
The total cost was $33.04