PSAT Math : Arithmetic
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Example Questions
Example Question #1 : How To Find The Sale Price
Mark sells his car to Mike for 95% of the amount he originally paid. Mike then discounts the car 20% and sells it to Max. Max paid $300. How much did Mark buy his car for (rounded to the nearest dollar)?
395
280
355
265
335
395
Apply your percentage knowledge. Starting value times percentage equals end value. $300/(1 – 0.2) = $375. $375/0.95 = $395.
Example Question #2 : How To Find The Sale Price
The costs for Lizzie’s party are as follows: $6000 to cater, $1200 for the DJ, $2000 for decorating, and $2200 for the venue rental. Lizze can choose to apply a discount of 10% for the caterer and decorating but is then charged an additional 30% for the DJ and venue. What is the minimum price she will pay?
$11,400
$11,000
$12,440
$12,160
$10,800
$11,400
The discounts are not worth the extra cost. The answer is $11,400.
Example Question #3 : How To Find The Sale Price
Mr. Glatfelter trains hunting dogs for a price of $4000 per dog. If it costs him $15,000 per month to keep his business open and each dog costs $1000 to train, how many dogs per month must he train to make a profit?
5
8
7
6
9
6
The answer is 6. 6 hunting dogs gives him a net profit of $3000. If you picked 5, that’s where Glatfelter breaks even (he doesn’t make a profit or a loss).
Example Question #2 : How To Find The Sale Price
A dress was originally priced at $70. In January, it was put on sale for 20% off. Then in February, the sale price was lowered an additional $10 off of January's price. How much is the dress currently being sold for?
$60
$52
$34
$46
$50
$46
The dress started at $70. In January, it was marked down 20%. $70 * 0.2 = $14, so it was being sold for $70 – $14 = $56. Then we're told its price is again lowered, this time by $10. Now the price is $56 – $10 = $46.
Example Question #11 : Percentage
Molly needs to buy a new microwave. Two stores, A and B, sell the exact model microwave that Molly needs to buy; however, stores A and B are selling this microwave at two different prices. Store A is selling the microwave for its regular price of $250. Store B is having a 20% off sale on all kitchen appliances. If the regular price of the microwave at store B is $275, how much money will Molly save if she purchases the microwave at store B with the additional 20% discount compared to if she were to purchase the microwave at store A?
$20
$25
$30
$50
$75
$30
If Molly buys the microwave at store B at the discounted price, we need to calculate what the price of the microwave is after the 20% discount. In order to do so, we must multiply 20% with the $275 regular price of the microwave at store B.
20% is 0.20.
So,
0.20 * $275 = $55
This is the discount we will receive. That means that we must subtract $55 from the regular price of $275.
$275 – $55 = $220
This is the price of the microwave at store B after the 20% discount.
Now we must compare the prices from store A and B.
Store A sells the microwave for $250.
Therefore, $250 – $220 = $30 saved.
Example Question #12 : Percentage
Sale price: 
Example Question #11 : How To Find The Sale Price
Company 
The sale price is 85% less than the original which is the same as 15% of the original 
Example Question #401 : Arithmetic
An item is full-priced at $75. It is reduced by 10%, and then you apply a 25% off coupon to that price. There is a 7% sales tax on your purchase. How much do you pay?
The item begins at $75. it is 10% off.
You then take an additional 25% off:
There is then a 7% sales tax:
Example Question #11 : Sale Prices
Julie goes shopping at Gap. There is a storewide sale of 30% off. She buys a sweater on clearance that gets an additional 50% off. If the sweater was originally $50, how much did she pay?
$21.50
$35
$25
$10
$17.50
$17.50
The original price was $50. First you take 30% off (50 * (100 - 30)/100 = $35). Then you take an additional 50% off the new price (35 * 50/100 = 17.50)
Example Question #402 : Arithmetic
If Stacy paid $26 for a shirt at a 30%-off sale, what was the original price of the shirt?
If the shirt is $26 after 30% was taken off, then cost of the the shirt ($26) is 70% of the original price.
We set up an equation that states:
0.7x = 26 (0.7 is the decimal value of 70%)
x = 26/0.7 = $37.14
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