Calculating the original price of a discounted item can seem tricky at first, but it’s quite straightforward once you understand the process. Here’s how you can do it in a few simple steps:
- Identify the Discounted Price: Start by noting the price after the discount has been applied. This is the amount you see on the price tag or online listing.
- Determine the Discount Percentage: Find out the percentage by which the original price has been reduced. This information is typically provided in the form of a label like ‘20% off’.
- Convert the Discount Percentage to Decimal: To make the calculations easier, convert the discount percentage into a decimal. For example, for a 20% discount, you would convert it to 0.20.
- Calculate the Decimal Equivalent of the Price Before Discount: To find out the portion of the original price that you’re actually paying, subtract the decimal discount from 1. For a 20% discount, it would be:
1 - 0.20 = 0.80. This means you’re paying 80% of the original price. - Calculate the Original Price: Now, you can use the discounted price and the percentage you’re paying to find the original price. Use the formula:
Original Price = Discounted Price / Percentage Paid. For example, if the discounted price is $40, you would calculate:Original Price = $40 / 0.80 = $50.
So, in this case, the original price of the item would have been $50. Once you’ve mastered this calculation, you’ll be able to find the original price of any discounted item with ease!