171/2% is 17.5% or 17.5 parts in 100 ("per cent") - if you want just the VAT multiply ￡50 by 17.5/100 or 0.175 ; if you want the total price multiply ￡50 by 1 + 0.175, or 1.175. - either way you should get total of ￡58.75

$50 * 1.175

or $50 + 50(.175)

how did you work it out cheers

￡58.75

58.5