Provide an appropriate response.Roberto is an employee of a store and receives 20% discount off all items in the store. During a sale, the price of a jacket is reduced by $15. Roberto will receive both his 20% discount and the $15 off. Which is better for Roberto: to take his 20% discount first and then subtract $15, or to subtract $15 first and then take his 20% discount? Explain.

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

It is better for Roberto to take his 20% discount first, since 20% of a larger number (x) is greater than 20% of a smaller number (x - 15). For example, if the original price of the jacket was $100, taking the 20% discount first would reduce the price to $80, and taking $15 off this would make the price $65. However, taking the $15 off first would reduce the price to $85, and taking 20% off this would make the price $68. (Explanations will vary.)