How do you find sales tax?

Lets start off with the definition. What even is sales tax?:
Sales tax is the "fee" we pay on something purchased. The amount of fee paid always depends on a percentage. An 8% sales tax means that for every 1$, (also 100¢) we spend an extra 8 cents.
Before I confuse you too much, I'll just give an example so you won't be like, Whu? What is she talking about?.

Example:

Part 1

A jacket costs $40 and your state's sales tax (it may vary for each state) is 8%. How much do you have to pay along with your sales tax? There are a few other methods, but in this explanation, I'm just gonna show you this one.

Step 1: Change 8% to a decimal.
#8%= 8/100*#

*: You can do #0.08#, too!

Step 2: Multiply #0.08# and and #40#.

#40times8/100#

#=3.2#

So the tax will be #$3.20#.

-----------------------------------But WAIT!!!----------------------------------------------

There's still Part 2 left! You just know the extra amount you are gonna have to pay along with the $40. Once Part 2 is over, we'll have our answer.

Part 2

We now have to add the cost of the jacket ($40) with the tax for us to get the total amount that is due.

#$40+$3.20#

#=$43.20#

I hope that helps!

My source: I used my brain along with this book! I recommend that book "series" to every student going into 6th grade (maybe 5th...)!
And make sure you check out Nathan C's answer in the comments below!

                                                                                   -Moksha

Following the previous example of #$40.00# and #8%#sales tax:

#8%=8/100=0.08#

Sales Tax

#$40.00xx0.08=$3.20#

Add the sales tax to the original #$40.00#.

#$40.00+$3.20=43.20#

You can answer this question with one step.

#$40+($40xx0.08)=$43.20#
#color(white)(................)darr#
#color(white)(...........)"sales tax"#