Question

the price of an item has increased 15% since last year. However l a person can buy the item for a 25%employee discount. The employee pays $172.50. What was the price last year?

Answer 1

Let us assume last year the price of the item = $x.

After increase in price by 15% the new price = x + 15% of x = x+ 0.15x = 1.15x.

There is a 25% discount for employee.

25% of 1.15x = 0.25 × 1.15x = 0.2875 x.

Price after discount = 1.15x - 0.2875 x = 0.8625x.

The employee pays $172.50.

Therefore,

0.8625x = 172.50.

Dividing both sides by 0.08625.

$\frac{0.8625x }{ 0.8625} =\frac{172.50}{0.8625}$

x=200.

Therefore, last year the price was $200.