PSAT Math : PSAT Mathematics
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Example Questions
Example Question #311 : Arithmetic
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?
$75
$50
$25
$30
$20
$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 : How To Find The Sale Price
Sale price: 
Example Question #312 : Arithmetic
Company 
The sale price is 85% less than the original which is the same as 15% of the original 
Example Question #11 : How To Find The Sale Price
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 : Monetary Percentage
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?
$35
$25
$17.50
$10
$21.50
$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 #12 : How To Find The Sale Price
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
Example Question #13 : How To Find The Sale Price
A pair of shoes originally sells for $250. There is a sale, and the shoes are then sold for 20% off. The shoes are then marked down an additional 35%. If sales tax is 7%, what can you buy the pair of shoes for today, including tax?
$130.00
$139.10
$137.00
$162.50
$214.70
$139.10
The shoes are first marked down 20%.
20% of $250 = .2 x $250 = $50
Sales price = $250 - $50 = $200
The second markdown is 35%.
35% of $200 = .35 x $200 = $70
New price = $200 - $70 = $130
Calculate the sales tax:
7% of $130 = .07 x $130 = $9.10
Total price = $130 + $9.10 = $139.10
Example Question #11 : Monetary Percentage
A shirt at the store has a retail price of $17.50. If a customer buys the shirt and uses a 15% coupon, how much does he pay for the shirt, assuming there is no sales tax?
(Round to two decimal places.)
$14.87
$15.25
$15.75
$14.88
$14
$14.88
If a customer has a 15% coupon, the customer will pay 85% of the original price. To solve this problem, simply multiply the original price of the shirt by the percent of the price the customer still has to pay:
Round to the nearest two decimal places, and we see that the price of the shirt is $14.88.
Example Question #15 : How To Find The Sale Price
Your friend works at a computer store. She can get a 15% discount on any item’s current price for as many items as she wants. She wants to buy a laptop for $2200 and a smartphone for $200. Local sales tax where your friend lives is 8%. What will be her total cost to buy these two items?
$2040
$2592
$2400
$2203.20
$1848.08
$2203.20
First, find the total price of the products $2200 + $200 = $2400.
Then apply the 15% discount: $2400 * 0.15 = $360
Subtract the discount: $2400 – $360 = $2040.
Then find cost of sales tax $2040 * 0.08 = 163.20
Add: $2040 + 163.20 = $2203.20.
(An alternative would be to multiply the cost by 1.08.)
Example Question #1 : Profit Margin
A sunglasses kiosk at the mall makes a $50 profit for every 6 pairs of sunglasses it sells. How many pairs of sunglasses must it sell to earn $1000 profit?
120
300
30
20
100
120
Divide the profit per 6 pairs into the total desired profit $1000/$50 = 20.
Multiply 20 by 6 sunglasses = 120 sunglasses. Or use 6/50 = x/1000 and solve for x.
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