Mathematics ACT Aspire Practice Test 2026 – Complete Study Resource

Calculating sales tax serves the specific purpose of finding the final price of an item after tax has been applied. When consumers purchase goods or services, they often need to know how much more they will pay beyond the listed price due to sales tax. The sales tax is usually a percentage of the original price of the item, and it is added to that price to arrive at the total cost owed by the consumer.

This process ensures that buyers understand the total financial commitment required when making a purchase, which includes both the base price and any applicable taxes. The other purposes listed do not pertain to sales tax: finding the amount saved refers to discounts, determining the original price relates to the price before any additional costs, and calculating simple interest is a different mathematical operation entirely. Therefore, the correct choice highlights the role of sales tax in helping consumers ascertain the complete cost of their purchase.