Due to a sale at Macy's you only have to pay 2/3 of the original price of a blouse. your price AFTER the discount $120. What was the original price? Explain how you arrived at this answer.

Question

Due to a sale at Macy's you only have to pay 2/3 of the original price of a blouse. your price AFTER the discount $120. What was the original price? Explain how you arrived at this answer.

Answer 1

This question is a little ambiguous

One reading is that after the discount the sales price is $120

120 = (2/3) of the pre-discount price

120 = 2P/3 multiply both sides by 3

360 = 2P divide by 2

P = $180

maybe that's the answer you want

But does the problem read you only have to pay 2/3 after a $120 discount?

If so, then (2/3)P = P-120

multiply by 3

2P =3P -360

P =$360

take a $120 discount leaving a sales price of 360-120 = $240

240 is 2/3 of 360

the English sentences and wording don't make it that clear, which problem is being asked.

Answer 2

2P/3 = P-120

2P = 3P -360

P= $360 = the original price before the discount

2/3 means 1/3 off. 1/3 is 120. 360-120 = $240 = sales price