Final answer:
The original price of Jay Miller's ski house was approximately $42,696.63, calculated by dividing the selling price of $38,000 by 0.89 to account for the 11% loss.
Step-by-step explanation:
Jay Miller sold his ski house for $38,000, which was an 11% loss off the original price. To determine the original price, we use the concept that selling price is equal to the original price minus the loss (11% of the original price). Let's denote the original price as 'P'. Therefore, we can express this relationship as:
38,000 = P - 0.11 × P
38,000 = P(1 - 0.11)
38,000 = P(0.89)
To find the original price 'P', we divide both sides of the equation by 0.89:
P = 38,000 / 0.89
P = $42,696.63 (rounded to two decimal places)
Therefore, the original price that Jay paid for the ski house was approximately $42,696.63.