A store has clearance items that have been marked down by 55%.

Question

They are having a sale, advertising an additional 25% off clearance items. What percent of the original price do you end up paying?

Give your answer accurate to at least one decimal place.

Answer 1

let the original undiscounted price = $100

55% off means paying $45

25% off that means paying 3/4 of 45 = 135/4 = $34.75

which is 65.25% off the original price

Temptation is to just add 55+25 = 80% off,

the store wants to advertise as if that's what they're doing,

but odds are they really are "just" giving 65 1/4 % off

try these calculations with any other original price and

the numbers work out the same