Question 661022
For all percentage problems, remember that the basic equation or formula is that the percentage is a ratio of some “part” divided by some “whole” or standard amount. That doesn't seem precise, but I think that language is helpful for all percentage problems. By part and whole, I mean that there will always be a number that is to be compared to another. 

The basic formula or equation is always:   Percentage = part/whole

In percentage problems, you are given 2 of the following 3 items:
the percentage
the part
the whole

Write the basic equation, substitute in what you know, and solve for what remains unknown.


In this case, the question is whether the $58.50 is the part or the whole. It is an amount that has already been discounted and so it is part of the whole which was the original price.

You know the percentage and the part, we need to find the whole amount.

pct=part/whole
55%=58.50/w
w*55%=w*58.50/w
w*55%=w*1/w*58.50
w*55%=1*58.50
w*55%=58.50
w*55%*1/55%=58.50*1/55%
w*1=58.50*1/55%
w=$106.36

When you do your calculations, remember 55%=.55