there is a sales tax of $12 on an item that costs $128 before tax. the sales tax on a second item is $6.75…

there is a sales tax of $12 on an item that costs $128 before tax. the sales tax on a second item is $6.75. how much does the second item cost before tax?
Answer
Explanation:
Step1: Calculate the tax - rate
The tax - rate $r$ is calculated by dividing the tax amount by the pre - tax cost. For the first item, $r=\frac{12}{128}=\frac{3}{32}$.
Step2: Find the pre - tax cost of the second item
Let the pre - tax cost of the second item be $x$. We know that the tax amount on the second item is $6.75$ and the tax - rate $r = \frac{3}{32}$. Since $tax\ amount=r\times pre - tax\ cost$, we have $6.75=\frac{3}{32}x$. Solving for $x$, we get $x = 6.75\div\frac{3}{32}=6.75\times\frac{32}{3}=72$.
Answer:
$72$