Question

A stereo is marked down $75. If this is a 15% decrease, how do you find the sale price?

Answer 1

The Sales Price is $425

Explanation:

First, we need to find the original price or: 15% of what is $75

"Percent" or "%" means "out of 100" or "per 100", Therefore 15% can be written as `15/100`.

When dealing with percents the word "of" means "times" or "to multiply".

Finally, lets call the number we are looking for, or "what", `n`.

Putting this altogether we can write this equation and solve for `n` while keeping the equation balanced:

`15/100 xx n = $75`

`100/15 * 15/100 xx n = 100/15 * $75`

`cancel(100)/cancel(15) * cancel(15)/cancel(100) xx n = ($7500)/15`

`n = $500`

Now that we know the original price we can subtract the discount or mark down from it.

So, the Sales Price `= $500 - $75 = $425`