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A book was on sale for $40 \%$ off its original price. If the sale price of the book was $\$ 18.00$, what was the original price of the book? (Assume there is no sales tax.)

SAT · Math · previous-year question

  1. A.$\$ 7.20$
  2. B.$\$ 10.80$
  3. C.$\$ 30.00$correct
  4. D.$\$ 45.00$

Answer

C. $\$ 30.00$

Explanation

Choice $\mathbf{C}$ is correct. Let $x$ represent the original price of the book. Then, $40 \%$ off of $x$ is $(1-0.40) x$, or $0.60 x$. Since the sale price is $\$ 18.00$, then $0.60 x=18$. Dividing both sides of this equation by 0.60 yields $x=30$. Therefore, the original price of the book was $\$ 30$.Choice $A$ is incorrect and may result from computing $40 \%$ of the sale price. Choice B is incorrect and may result from computing $40 \%$ off the sale price instead of the original price. Choice $\mathrm{D}$ is incorrect and may result from computing the original price of a book whose sale p

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