What sales tax, at a rate of \( 6 \frac{1}{2} \% \), must you pay on the purchase of a computer hard disk drive costing \( \$ 2648 \) of 26 , 75 ? The sales tax is \( \$ \square \) This question: 1 pu (Round to the nearest cent as needed.)

To calculate the sales tax on the hard disk drive, you first convert the percentage into a decimal. \( 6 \frac{1}{2} \% \) is equivalent to \( 0.065 \). Now, multiply the cost of the hard drive, which is \( \$2648 \), by this decimal: \( 2648 \times 0.065 = \$172.12 \). Therefore, the sales tax is \( \$172.12 \). Now you might wonder, why do we pay sales tax? It’s not just a wallet-lightening experience! Sales tax helps fund public services such as schools, roads, and first responders. So, each time you buy something, you’re contributing to your community while getting that awesome new tech—talk about a win-win! Moreover, when making larger purchases, like your beloved hard drive, it's crucial to calculate the total cost including tax beforehand. This way, you can budget properly and avoid surprises at the checkout. A common mistake is forgetting to include tax in the overall price, leading to unexpected costs. Keeping track of tax rates and being mindful of these little additions ensures smooth sailing in your shopping adventures!