Question

Joanne cannot decide which of two washing machines to buy. The selling price of

each is $360. The first is marked down by 30%. The second is marked down by 10% with an
additional 20% off. Find the sale price of each washing machine. Use pencil and paper. Explain
why Joanne should buy the first washing machine rather than the second if the machines are the
same except for the selling price.
The sale price of the first washing machine is $__

Answer 1

The sale price of the first washing machine is $252

Explanation:

First washing machine

Given information:

• Selling price = $360
• Marked down by 30%

If the washing machine is marked down by 30%, the sale price is 70% of the original selling price as 100% - 30% = 70%.

To find the sale price, calculate 70% of $360:

`\begin{aligned}\implies \sf 70\% \:of\: 360 & = \sf 0.7 * 360\\& = \sf 252 \end{aligned}`

Therefore, the sale price of Washing Machine 1 is $252.

Second washing machine

Given information:

• Selling price = $360
• Marked down by 10% with an additional 20% off.

If the washing machine is marked down by 10%, then has an additional discount of 20% applied, the sale price can be calculated by first finding 90% of the selling price, then finding 80% of the reduced price:

`\begin{aligned}\implies \sf 90\% \:of\: 360 & = \sf 0.9 * 360\\& = \sf 324\end{aligned}`

`\begin{aligned}\implies \sf 80\% \:of\: 324 & = \sf 0.8 * 324 \\& = \sf 259.2\end{aligned}`

Therefore, the sale price of Washing Machine 2 is $259.50.

Joanne should buy the first washing machine rather than the second, as after the discounts are applied, the first washing machine is cheaper than the second by $7.50.

Answer 2

• See below

Explanation:

Initial price of both machines is $360

Price after 30% mark down:

• 360 - 30% =
• 360*0.7 =
• 252

Price after 10% and then 20% mark down:

• (360 - 10%) - 20% =
• 360*0.9*0.8 =
• 360*0.72 =
• 259.20

The sale price of the first washing machine is lower:

• $252 < $259.20