Final answer:
Joe could use the expression c - 0.15c or 0.85c to determine the sale price of a gift card with a 15% discount.
Step-by-step explanation:
To determine the sale price of a gift card with a 15% discount, Joe could use the expression c - 0.15c. This expression represents the original price (c) minus 15% of the original price (0.15c). An equivalent expression that Joe could use is 0.85c, which represents 100% minus 15% of the original price.
Let's take an example: If the original price of a gift card is $100, using the expression c - 0.15c, we would have:
$100 - 0.15 x $100 = $100 - $15 = $85
Using the equivalent expression 0.85c, we would have:
0.85 x $100 = $85
Both expressions yield the same result, which is the sale price of the gift card with a 15% discount.