Puzzle 3 - Perfect Squares Directions: Using the digits 1 - 9 at most one time each,

The correct answer is:

9%

Explanation:

Tracy spends $49 per night for 3 nights. This is 49(3) = $147. She also adds a 10% tip; this is 0.10(147) = $14.70, for a total of $147+$14.70=$161.70 on the hotel.

He spends $32 per day on meals, with a 15% tip. This is 32(3) = 96 before tips, and 0.15(96) = $14.40 on tips, for a total (pre-tax) of 96+14.40 = $110.40 on meals.

This gives us $110.40+$161.70 = $272.10 before tax on meals. This leaves $280.74-$272.10 = $8.64 from the total.

8.64/3 = 2.88; this means the amount of tax per meal was $2.88.

This gives us a percent for tax of 2.88/32 = 0.09, or 9%.