John paid $32.16 for groceries. This included 7% sales tax. What was the cost of groceries before the sales tax? A. $2.25 B. $30.06 C. $32.31 D. $459.43

If 32.16 includes the sales tax ... then the price before the sales tax will be less then 32.16

that only leaves 2 choices ...

so lets check them ...

7% sales tax on 2.25 = 0.07 (2.25) = 0.16 ... so if u spent 2.25 on groceries and added the sales tax of 16 cents ... then u would have spent 2.41 ... thats a long way from 32.16

if u spent 30.06 ... with 7% sales tax ... u would spend 30.06 + 0.07 (30.06) = 32.16

so the cost of the groceries before the sales tax is 30.06 <==