A store has clearance items that have been marked down by 20%. They are having a sale, advertising an additional 55% off clearance items.

Question

What percent of the original price do you end up paying?

Give your answer accurate to at least one decimal place.

Answer 1

100 dollars, 20% off leaves $80

100-20=80

another 55% off leaves $36

80-.55(80) = 80-44= $36

a total 64% off

the customer may claim 55% is a discount off the original $100 price

so 100-20-55 = 100-75 = $25 discouted price.

The store will argue $36 is the 20% off $100 plus 55% off $80.

The store will win the argument.

$36 is 36% off the original price

try the calculations with other than $100 as the original price

you still get 35% off