Question

explore different ways to solve a problem with a single percent.
cyrus is hosting a dinner to celebrate nowruz, the persian new year. his groceries cost $150 before he uses a 10%-off coupon. he also orders $60 worth of flowers. sales tax on the flowers is 6.25%. what is the total amount cyrus spends?
model it
you can draw bar models to find the percents.
bar model for original cost of groceries with segments labeled 15 at different percentage marks, showing cyrus pays 90% of original cost for groceries
bar model for original cost of flowers with segments labeled 3.75, 3.75, 7.5, 15, 30, 3.75 at different percentage marks, showing cyrus pays 106.25% of original cost for flowers
model it
you can write equations to solve the problem.
cost of groceries:
(100% - 10%)150 = (90%)150
= (0.90)(150)
cost of flowers:
(100% + 6.25%)60 = (106.25%)60
= (1.0625)(60)
total cost = cost of groceries + cost of flowers
= (0.90)(150) + (1.0625)(60)
= 135 + 63.75

Explanation:

Step1: Calculate grocery cost after coupon

Cyrus pays 90% of $150 for groceries.
$0.90\times150 = 135$

Step2: Calculate flower cost with tax

Cyrus pays 106.25% (or 1.0625) of $60 for flowers.
$1.0625\times60 = 63.75$

Step3: Sum the two costs

Add grocery cost and flower cost.
$135 + 63.75 = 198.75$

Answer:

\$198.75