Question

Today only, a suit is being sold at a 64% discount. The sale price is $331.20.

What was the price yesterday.

Answer 1

The sale price yesterday was $517.50

The problem states that the value of $331.20 is 64% of the price of yesterdays value. So we have to find out what multiplied by 0.64 is 331.20. To do this we can set up the equation:

331.20= %64 x p

331.20= 0.64 x p

We then have to divide both sides by 0.64

p= 331.20/0.64

p=517.50

Answer 2

Price of suit yesterday = $920

Explanation:

We will assume the price yesterday was $P

The discount is 64%

64% as a decimal = 64/100 = 0.64

Discount amount in $ = 0.64 x P =0.64P

Sale price after discount = P - 0.64P = P(1-0.64) = P(0.36) = 0.36P

We are given that the sale price is $331.20

Equating the expression 0.36P we get

0.36P = 331.20

P = 331.20/0.36

P = 920

So the price yesterday was $920

Always good to have a check

If price yesterday was $920 and a discount of 64% is applied, the discount amount = 64% of $920

= 0.64 x $920

= $588.80

This is the amount of discount

Sale price = Marked Price - Discount amount

= 920 - 588.80

= $331.20

So everything tallies