Digital PSAT Math Practice Question 247: Answer and Explanation

Question: 247

If the sale price on a coat is $72, and the original price of the coat was $90, what is the percent discount from this sale?

• A. 14%
• B. 20%
• C. 26%
• D. 80%

Correct Answer: B

Explanation:

(B) This question is asking you what percent the discount is of 90. First, you need to know what the discount is, which you can get by subtracting the new price from the original price: 90 - 72 = 18. Then, you can figure out what percentage 18 is of 90 by setting up a proportion, recognizing that 90 will represent 100% of the quantity:

. Next, cross multiply.

90x = 1800. Dividing by 90 yields x = 20, so $18 is 20% of $90, answer (B).