How can you use percentages to calculate discounts in PAA?
Introduction
Discount word problems can be tricky, but with a little bit of practice, they become much easier to solve. In this article, we will discuss the different types of discount word problems and provide step-by-step instructions on how to solve them. We will also include some examples to help you understand the concepts better.
Types of Discount Word Problems
Discount word problems can be divided into three categories:
Type 1: Percentage Discount
In this type of problem, a certain percentage is deducted from the original price of an item. For example, if a shirt costs $50 and there is a 20% discount, the new price would be $40.
Type 2: Buy One Get One Free (BOGO)
In this type of problem, the customer gets one item for free when they purchase another item. For example, if a customer buys two shirts and gets one free, the discount would be 33% (the cost of one shirt is free).
Type 3: Multiple Discounts
In this type of problem, there are multiple discounts applied to an item. For example, if a shirt costs $50 and there is a 20% discount and a $5 coupon, the new price would be $35.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Now that we have discussed the different types of discount word problems, let’s take a look at how to solve them.
Type 1: Percentage Discount
- Find the original price of the item.
- Convert the percentage discount to a decimal by dividing it by 100.
- Multiply the original price by the decimal to find the amount of the discount.
- Subtract the amount of the discount from the original price to find the new price.
Let’s take a look at an example:
Example: A shirt costs $50 and there is a 20% discount. What is the new price?
- Original price = $50
- 20% discount = 0.20
- Amount of discount = $50 x 0.20 = $10
- New price = $50 – $10 = $40
Type 2: Buy One Get One Free (BOGO)
- Find the cost of one item.
- Divide the cost of one item by 100 and multiply by the percentage discount (in this case, 33%).
- Add the amount of the discount to the cost of one item to find the new price.
Let’s take a look at an example:
Example: A customer buys two shirts and gets one free. The cost of one shirt is $30. What is the new price?
- Cost of one shirt = $30
- 33% discount = 0.33
- Amount of discount = ($30 / 100) x 33% = $9.90
- New price = ($30 x 2) – $9.90 = $50.10
Type 3: Multiple Discounts
- Find the original price of the item.
- Convert each percentage discount to a decimal by dividing it by 100.
- Multiply the original price by each decimal to find the amount of each discount.
- Add up all of the discounts to find the total discount.
- Subtract the total discount from the original price.
Let’s take a look at an example:
Example: A shirt costs $50 and there is a 20% discount and a $5 coupon. What is the new price?
- Original price = $50
- 20% discount = 0.20
- $5 coupon = $5
- Amount of first discount = $50 x 0.20 = $10
- Total discount = $10 + $5 = $15
- New price = $50 – $15 = $35
FAQs
Q: How do I calculate a percentage discount?
A: To calculate a percentage discount, divide the percentage by 100 and multiply it by the original price.
Q: What is the formula for calculating a BOGO discount?
A: The formula for calculating a BOGO discount is to divide the cost of one item by 100 and multiply it by the percentage discount. Then, add the amount of the discount to the cost of one item to find the new price.
Q: Can I use multiple discounts on one item?
A: Yes, you can use multiple discounts on one item. To calculate the new price, find each individual discount and add them together to find the total discount. Then, subtract the total discount from the original price.
Conclusion
Solving discount word problems may seem daunting at first, but with practice and these simple steps, you’ll be able to solve them with ease. Remember to identify which type of problem you’re dealing with and use the appropriate formula to calculate your answer. Always double-check your work and make sure your answer makes sense in context. With these tips in mind, you’ll be able to tackle any discount word problem that comes your way!