An article retails for $38.50. The city sales tax is 4%, and the federal excise tax is 7%. How much is the total tax?

First you add the two tax percentages together - 11%

Then you must find what 11% of $38.50 is;

So, you multiply $38.50 by. 11; which is the equivalent of 11% of the total.

This equals $4.235, which would be your total tax.

4/100; 38.50 x 0.04 = $1.54

7/100; 38.50 x 0.07 = $2.70

$1.54 + $2.70 = $4.24