The sales tax in the city of Taxemalot is 8.1%. What is the growth factor for any item purchased at your local Tarmart?

A sales tax increases the original price, so the growth factor is 1 plus the tax rate written as a decimal. Since 8.1% = 0.081, the growth factor is 1 + 0.081 = 1.081. The correct choice is 1.081.

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