James bought Nicole a pair of shoes for $54.99 and a bracelet for $21.99. He used a 15% off coupon and then paid 7.5% sales tax. What was the total amount James spent?

$70.34

Step-by-step explanation:

The total before the coupon and tax is:

$54.99 + $21.99 = $76.98

Now apply the 15% coupon:

Since the total price is 100% of the price, when you apply a 15% coupon, you pay 100% - 15% = 85% of the price. We need to find 85% of $76.98

85% * $76.98 =

= 0.85 * $76.98

= $65.43

The price after the 15% coupon, but before the tax, is $65.43

Now the total $65.43 is considered 100% of the price. The tax is 7.5%.

100% + 7.5% = 107.5%

Now we find 107.5% of $65.43

107.5% of $65.43 =

= 1.075 * $65.43

= $70.34

$70.34