Deciphering the Original Price- Strategies to Uncover the Pre-Discount Value

How do you find the original price before a discount? Whether you’re shopping for a sale or trying to calculate the true cost of an item, understanding how to determine the original price is a valuable skill. Discounts can be a great way to save money, but without knowing the original price, it’s difficult to assess whether you’re really getting a good deal. In this article, we’ll explore the steps you can take to find the original price before a discount and help you make more informed purchasing decisions.

Understanding Discounts

Before we dive into the calculation, it’s important to understand the different types of discounts. There are two main types: percentage discounts and dollar discounts. A percentage discount is a reduction in the original price by a certain percentage, while a dollar discount is a fixed amount subtracted from the original price.

Calculating the Original Price

To find the original price before a discount, you’ll need to follow these steps:

1. Identify the sale price: This is the price you see after the discount has been applied. Make sure you have the sale price before proceeding.

2. Determine the discount amount: If you know the percentage discount, multiply it by the sale price. For example, if the sale price is $50 and the discount is 20%, the discount amount would be $10 (20% of $50). If you know the dollar discount, simply subtract it from the sale price. For instance, if the sale price is $50 and the dollar discount is $5, the discount amount is $5.

3. Subtract the discount amount from the sale price: This will give you the original price. Using the examples above, if the sale price is $50 and the discount amount is $10, the original price would be $60. If the sale price is $50 and the discount amount is $5, the original price would also be $60.

4. Verify your calculation: It’s always a good idea to double-check your work. Make sure that the original price plus the discount amount equals the sale price.

Real-World Examples

Let’s look at a couple of real-world examples to illustrate how to find the original price before a discount:

Example 1:
– Sale price: $40
– Percentage discount: 15%
– Original price: $40 / (1 – 0.15) = $40 / 0.85 ≈ $47.06

Example 2:
– Sale price: $100
– Dollar discount: $20
– Original price: $100 + $20 = $120

By following these steps and using the examples as a guide, you can find the original price before a discount and make sure you’re getting the best deal possible. Remember, it’s always important to compare the original price to the sale price to ensure you’re not just getting a smaller discount on an already overpriced item. Happy shopping!