Answer: 53.33 dollars
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Work Shown:
x = original price
25% = 25/100 = 0.25
25% of x = 0.25x = discount, or amount saved
final price = (original price) - (discount)
final price = (x) - (0.25x)
final price = 0.75x
0.75x = 40
x = 40/0.75
x = 53.333333
x = 53.33
The original price is $53.33
The discount, or amount saved, is 0.25*x = 0.25*53.33 = 13.3325 = 13.33 dollars.
This means the sale price is 53.33 - 13.33 = 40
We can also see this through computing 0.75*x = 0.75*53.33 = 39.9975 = 40, which matches with the given sale price.
Note how I'm rounding to the nearest penny when needed.