16Hit1600
Problem-Solving and Data AnalysisVery hardReversing one discount to apply another

Problem-Solving and Data Analysis practice question

After a 20% discount, a lamp costs $96. What would the lamp cost, in dollars, with a 10% discount off the original price instead?

Answer: 108

The $96 is 80% of the original, so the original is 96/0.80 = $120. A 10% discount off $120 leaves 0.90 × 120 = $108.

Common wrong answers

If you answered 120
120 is the original price, before any discount.
If you answered 105.6
105.6 applies the 10% discount to the already-discounted $96. The 10% is taken off the ORIGINAL price.
If you answered 86.4
86.4 is $96 with a further 10% off, the same error as 105.6 taken one step further.

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