Thread: Price of Suit

Originally Posted by sharkman

Let x represent the price of a suit: If the suit is on sale at a discount rate of 30%, express the price of the suit at the discount rate in terms of x.

My Work:

Let x = price of suit before the discount rate.
Let P = price of suit at a discount rate in terms of x.

P = x(0.30)

Is this correct?

P = x(0.70)

Originally Posted by skeeter

P = x(0.70)

Why not P = x(0.30)?

Originally Posted by sharkman

Why not P = x(0.30)?

If the suit's price is reduced by 30%, it means you'll be paying 70% of the original price. So that is why we multiply by 0.7 rather than 0.3. If we multiplied by 0.3, it would mean the suit is 70% off, rather than the desired 30%.

Originally Posted by sharkman

Let x represent the price of a suit: If the suit is on sale at a discount rate of 30%, express the price of the suit at the discount rate in terms of x.

My Work:

Let x = price of suit before the discount rate.
Let P = price of suit at a discount rate in terms of x.

P = x(0.30)

Is this correct?

NO.
Skeeter supplied the correct one.

If the suit is on sale at a discount rate

The key word.
That means that the seller will take off or deduct some money from the asking price.
When you shop, if you see and item tagged for sale at $10, but there is an announcement that the store will discount 10% if you buy now.
How much would you expect to pay?
10% of $10 is one dollar. So you would expect to pay $9 for the item.

[Price of Suit AFTER Discount] = [Price of Suit] MINUS ([Price of Suit] x 0.30)

Beware those shifty dealers who put out signs like:

"Special -10% discount!"

Originally Posted by RobLikesBrunch

If the suit's price is reduced by 30%, it means you'll be paying 70% of the original price. So that is why we multiply by 0.7 rather than 0.3. If we multiplied by 0.3, it would mean the suit is 70% off, rather than the desired 30%.

Thanks for the tip.

I want to thank all who took time out to reply.