Answer:
[tex]\large \boxed{\$1.27}}[/tex]
Step-by-step Explanation:
Let x = the amount you have to spend.
Then 0.07x = the tax
and x + 0.07x = $1.36
[tex]\begin{array}{rcll}x + 0.07x & = & \$1.36 &\\1.07x & = & \$1.36 & \text{Combined like terms}\\x & = & \dfrac{\$1.36}{1.07} & \text{Divided each side by 1.07}\\\\ & = & \mathbf{\$1.27} & \text{Did the division}\\\end{array}\\\text{You would spend $\large \boxed{\mathbf{\$1.27}}$ before tax}[/tex]
Check:
1.07 × $1.27 = $1.36
$1.36 = $1.36
OK.