Jody bought 3 pencils for $0.99 each and 2 packs of lined paper for $2.50 each. How much would the total cost be if the sales tax is 4%? Will she have enough money if she brought $20 with her? How much would her change be? Show your solution in a step by step order. Explain how you found your answer.

First, count the sum of price for 3 pencils

pencils = 3 * price per pencil

pencils = 3 * 0.99

pencils = 2.97

The price of three pencils is $2.97

Second, count the sum of price for 2 packs of paper

paper = 2 * price per pack

paper = 2 * 2.50

paper = 5.00

The price of two packs is $5.00

Third, sum the prices and tax

price = paper price + pencil price

price = 2.97 + 5.00

price = 7.97

tax = 4% * 7.97

tax = 0.04 * 7.97

tax = 0.3188

total = 7.97 + 0.3188

total = 8.288

Total pay is $8.288, she has enough money to pay it.

Fourth, calculate the change

change = 20 - 8.288

change = 11.712

The change would be $11.71