Final answer:
The first bicycle's sale price, after a 50% markdown, is $190. The second bicycle's sale price, after a combined markdown of 30% and an additional 20% off the reduced price, is $212.80. Eliza should buy the first bicycle for $190.
Step-by-step explanation:
The student is faced with a decision on which of two bicycles to buy, both originally priced at $380. To calculate the sale price of each bicycle:
- The first bicycle is marked down by 50%. Therefore, its sale price is 50% off of $380, which is $380 × 0.5 = $190.
- The second bicycle is marked down by 30% and then an additional 20% off the reduced price. First, we find 30% off of $380, which is $380 × 0.3 = $114. This reduces the price to $380 - $114 = $266. Then we take an additional 20% off of $266, which is $266 × 0.2 = $53.20. This reduces the price by another $53.20, leading to a final sale price of $266 - $53.20 = $212.80.
Part B: Eliza should buy the bicycle that costs less if all other factors are the same. Therefore, Eliza should purchase the first bicycle for $190.