How do I calculate a percentage discount?

To calculate a percentage discount, you only need a couple of quick steps:

Method 1: Find the savings, then subtract

1. Convert the discount percentage to a decimal:
   Divide the percentage by 100 (e.g., $20\% = 0.20$).
2. Find the amount saved:
   Multiply the original price by that decimal. $$\text{Savings} = \text{Original Price} \times \text{Discount Decimal}$$
3. Find the final price:
   Subtract the savings from the original price. $$\text{Final Price} = \text{Original Price} - \text{Savings}$$

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Method 2: The faster one-step way

Instead of finding what you save, figure out what you pay:

1. Subtract the discount percentage from $100\%$.
   (If it's $20\%$ off, you pay $80\%$, or $0.80$.)
2. Multiply the original price by that number. $$\text{Final Price} = \text{Original Price} \times 0.80$$

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Example

• Original price: $50

• Discount: $30\%$ off

• Method 1:

  • Savings: $\$50 \times 0.30 = \$15$
  • Final price: $\$50 - \$15 = \$35$

• Method 2:

  • You pay: $100\% - 30\% = 70\%$ (or $0.70$)
  • Final price: $\$50 \times 0.70 = \$35$