Question

The sale price of an item is $45 after a 40% discount is applied. What is the original price of the item?

Answer 1

Diving the sales price by 60% (100-40) will obtain the original price. 
$45/60% = $75 was the original sales price. 

Answer 2

If u got a 40% discount, then u actually paid 60%..

60% of the total price is 45
0.60x = 45
x = 45 / 0.60
x = 75 <== original price