Let's begin by listing out the information given to us:
Items: $2.50, $8.75, $3.00 & $10.25
Tax = 6% = 0.06
With Distribution, we have:
[tex]\begin{gathered} tax=0.06(2.50+8.75+3.00+10.25) \\ tax=0.15+0.525+0.18+0.615 \\ tax=\text{ \$}1.47 \end{gathered}[/tex]Without Distribution, we have:
[tex]\begin{gathered} total=2.50+$8.75+$3.00+$10.25$=\text{ \$}24.75 \\ tax=0.06\cdot total=0.06(24.75) \\ tax=\text{\$}1.47 \end{gathered}[/tex]I think it is easier without distribution. It gives less room for numerical inaccuracies
