Question

Mark buys last year's best-selling novel, in hardcover, for $26.35. This is with a 15% discount from the original price. What was the original price of the novel?

Answer 1

Solution

Step 1

Let the original price = m

Step 2

A discount can be defined as a reduction in price.

$\begin{gathered} discount\text{ = 15\% of m} \\ \text{= }\frac{15}{100}\text{ }\times\text{ m} \\ =\text{ 0.15m} \end{gathered}$

Step 3

$\begin{gathered} Selling\text{ price = cost price - discount } \\ 26.35\text{ = m - 0.15m} \\ 26.35\text{ = 0.85m} \\ m\text{ = }\frac{26.35}{0.85} \\ m\text{ = 31} \end{gathered}$

Final answer

The original price of the novel = $31