A restaurant bill before tax is $15.50 if the sales tax is 8% and a 15% tip is added what is the total cost of the meal

To calculate tax:

8% of 15.50 = 0.08 (15.50) = 1.24

Cost of meal + tax = 15.5 + 1.24 = 16.74

Assume tip is paid on full cost:

15% of 16.74 = 0.15 (16.74)

Tip = $2.51

So total cost of meal + tip = 16.74 + 2.51

$19.25