Final answer:
To find the original price of the hat before a 5% increase that resulted in a price of $33.60, divide $33.60 by 1.05, which gives an original price of $32.00.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question asks us to find the original price of a hat before a 5% price increase, given the new price is $33.60. To solve this, we need to work backwards from the increased price to the original price. Think of the increased price as 105% of the original price. To find the original price, represented as 100%, we divide $33.60 by 1.05.
Here's the calculation: Original Price = Increased Price / 1.05 = $33.60 / 1.05 = $32.00
Therefore, the original price of the hat was $32.00.