Discount Calculation Examples — Step-by-Step
Whether you're shopping, running a sale, or analyzing pricing, knowing how to calculate discounts is essential. These discount calculation examples cover the most common scenarios: percentage off, finding the sale price, double discounts, and working backwards from a discounted price.
6 Discount Calculation Examples
Example 1: Basic Percentage Off
A jacket costs $150. It's 30% off. What is the sale price?
- 1Discount amount = $150 × 30% = $150 × 0.30 = $45
- 2Sale price = $150 − $45 = $105
- 3Or: Sale price = $150 × (1 − 0.30) = $150 × 0.70 = $105
Sale price: $105 (you save $45)
Example 2: Find the Discount Percentage
A TV was $800, now $560. What is the discount percentage?
- 1Savings = $800 − $560 = $240
- 2Discount % = ($240 ÷ $800) × 100
- 3Discount % = 0.30 × 100 = 30%
Discount: 30% off
Example 3: Double Discount
Item is 20% off, then an extra 10% off at checkout.
- 1After 20% off: $100 × 0.80 = $80
- 2After extra 10% off: $80 × 0.90 = $72
- 3Total discount: ($100 − $72) ÷ $100 = 28% (NOT 30%)
Final price: $72 (28% total discount, not 30%)
Example 4: Find Original Price
An item costs $63 after a 30% discount. What was the original price?
- 1Sale price = Original × (1 − 0.30)
- 2$63 = Original × 0.70
- 3Original = $63 ÷ 0.70 = $90
Original price: $90
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I calculate a discount percentage?
Discount % = ((Original Price − Sale Price) ÷ Original Price) × 100. Example: $80 item on sale for $60 → ((80−60)÷80)×100 = 25% discount.
How do I find the sale price after a discount?
Sale Price = Original Price × (1 − Discount Rate). Example: $120 at 30% off → $120 × 0.70 = $84.
How do I calculate double discounts?
Apply discounts sequentially, not additively. 20% off then 10% off ≠ 30% off. $100 → 20% off = $80 → 10% off = $72. Total discount is 28%, not 30%.
What is the difference between discount and markdown?
A discount is a temporary price reduction (sale, coupon). A markdown is a permanent price reduction, often used to clear inventory. Both use the same calculation formula.
How do I calculate the original price from a discounted price?
Original Price = Sale Price ÷ (1 − Discount Rate). Example: Item costs $63 after 30% off → $63 ÷ 0.70 = $90 original price.
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