Percentages (I) · Ages 12–13
Marked prices and discounts
A discount is of the marked price; discounts in a row multiply.
How to do it
Method
A discount is of the marked price; discounts in a row multiply
Marked 250, 20% off: 250 × 0.8 = 200
Another way
The discount first
250 × 20% = 50, 250 − 50 = 200
In full
The marked price is the price on the label. A discount is taken on the marked price: discount = marked price × discount rate, and selling price = marked price − discount. Marked $250, 20% off: one way, the discount first, 250 × 20% = 50, so it sells for 250 − 50 = 200. Another, in one step: 20% off means paying 80%, 250 × 0.8 = 200. Discount % = discount ÷ marked price × 100%. Discounts one after another multiply: 20% off and then 10% off means paying 0.8 × 0.9 = 72%, a 28% discount, not 30%. Then compare the selling price with the cost to know whether it makes a profit or a loss.
Worked examples
Have a go first, then open each one for the answer and the working.
Example 1
Marked price $820, 35% off: selling price = $
Show the answer and working
Answer: 533
Discount = 820 × 35% = 287, so the price = 820 − 287 = 533.
Example 2
An item marked $400 is sold at 20% off. What is the selling price?
- A. $80
- B. $320
- C. $368
- D. $380
Choose the right answer
Show the answer and working
Answer: B. $320
20% off leaves 80% to pay: 400 × 80% = 320.
Example 3
Marked $300: 25% off, then 10% off that. Selling price = $
Show the answer and working
Answer: 202.5
After the first it is 225; the second is of 225: 225 × (1 − 10%) = 202.5. Not 25% + 10% at once.
Practice questions to try
Try these 5; the answers are at the end. For a whole worksheet, see VIP worksheets below.
1.Marked price $170, 15% off: selling price = $
Answer:
2.An item marked $80 is sold at 30% off. What is the selling price?
- A. $24
- B. $74.4
- C. $56
- D. $50
Choose the right answer
Answer:
3.Marked $80, sold for $56: discount = $, discount percentage = %.
Fill in each blank
Answer:
4.At 20% off, an item sells for $288. What is its marked price?
Answer:
5.Cost $400. It is marked 20% above cost, then sold at 20% off. What is the selling price?
- A. $384
- B. $400
- C. $480
- D. $320
Choose the right answer
Answer:
All the answers
- 1. 144.5
- 2. C. $56
- 3. 24, 30
- 4. 360 dollars
- 5. A. $384
VIP practice notes and papers
Aimed at tests and exams: questions on this topic, new every time, to print or save as a PDF.
- Practice notes: The key point, worked examples step by step, then questions of the same kind to follow, hints fading
- Practice paper: Set out in parts like a school paper, marked, with answers and full working
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