SOLUTION: A department store advertised electric shavers at a sale price of $36. If this is a 20% discount, what was the original price?

Algebra ->  Algebra  -> Percentages: Solvers, Trainers, Word Problems and pie charts -> SOLUTION: A department store advertised electric shavers at a sale price of $36. If this is a 20% discount, what was the original price?      Log On

Ad: Algebra Solved!™: algebra software solves algebra homework problems with step-by-step help!
Ad: Algebrator™ solves your algebra problems and provides step-by-step explanations!

   

Question 67263: A department store advertised electric shavers at a sale price of $36. If this is a 20% discount, what was the original price?
Answer by Earlsdon(6103) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
A 20% discount means that the original price has been reduced by 20%.
To find the original price if the sales price of $36.00 includes a 20% discount, let x = the original price. The sales price is x - 20% of x and this equals $36.00. The algebra looks like this, after changing the 20% to its decimal equivalent of 0.2:
x+-+0.2x+=+36 Simplify and solve for x.
0.8x+=+36 Divide both sides by 0.8
x+=+45
The original price was $45.00
Check:
45+-+0.2%2845%29+=+45+-+9 = 36