Answer:
The original price is $25.
Step-by-step explanation:
Let x be the original price of a pair of shorts,
Given,
Sales tax = 5%,
Thus, the price of shorts after imposing sales tax = Original price + 5 % of the original price
= x + 5 % of x



Now, the discount percentage = 20 %,
The final price of shorts after discount = The price of shorts after imposing tax - 20 % of the price of shorts after imposing tax
= 1.05x - 20 % of 1.05x




According to the question,
The final price of shorts = $ 21

Hence, the original cost of the pair of shorts is $ 25.