The employee bought it for 172.50, that's with a 25% discount, so 100% - 25% = 75%, so, the employee is only paying 75% of the current price, which is 172.50, let's say "x" is the regular price.
so, if "x" is the 100%, and we know that 172.50 is the 75%, what the dickens is "x"?

now, we know the 230 is the price, but already increased by 15%, so hmm if say the item before the increase is say "p", which is 100%, and we know that 230 is 100% + 15% = 115%, then what is "p"?