How to calculate discounts step-by-step for Grade 6 math

📚 What is a Discount?

A discount is a reduction in the original price of something. It's like getting a little bonus when you buy something! Stores offer discounts to attract customers and sell more products.

• 💰 Original Price: The starting price of the item.
• 🏷️ Discount Rate: The percentage by which the original price is reduced.
• 🎉 Sale Price: The final price you pay after the discount is applied.

📜 A Little History of Discounts

The idea of discounts has been around for a long time. Even in ancient markets, merchants would sometimes lower prices to attract buyers or get rid of excess stock. Today, discounts are a huge part of how businesses operate, especially during sales events like Black Friday or Cyber Monday.

➗ Key Principles for Calculating Discounts

Here's how to calculate discounts, step-by-step:

1. Step 1: Understand the Percentage: A percentage is a way of expressing a number as a fraction of 100. For example, 20% means 20 out of 100.
2. Step 2: Convert the Percentage to a Decimal: To do this, divide the percentage by 100. For example, 20% becomes 0.20.
3. Step 3: Calculate the Discount Amount: Multiply the original price by the decimal you found in Step 2.
4. Step 4: Find the Sale Price: Subtract the discount amount from the original price.

🧮 The Formula for Discount Calculation

Here's the formula we use:

Discount Amount = Original Price × Discount Rate (as a decimal)

Sale Price = Original Price - Discount Amount

📊 Real-World Examples

Example 1: Finding the Discount and Sale Price

A video game costs $40, and it's 25% off. How much is the discount, and what's the sale price?

• 💯 Convert 25% to a decimal: $25 \div 100 = 0.25$
• 💲 Calculate the discount amount: $40 \times 0.25 = $10$
• ✅ Calculate the sale price: $40 - $10 = $30$

So, the discount is $10, and the sale price is $30.

Example 2: Calculating Discount on Clothing

A shirt costs $25 and is on sale for 30% off. Find the sale price.

• ➗ Convert 30% to a decimal: $30 \div 100 = 0.30$
• ⭐ Calculate the discount amount: $25 \times 0.30 = $7.50$
• ➖ Calculate the sale price: $25 - $7.50 = $17.50$

Therefore, the sale price of the shirt is $17.50.

✍️ Practice Quiz

Time to test your skills! Solve these discount problems:

1. A book costs $15 and is 20% off. What is the discount amount?
2. A toy car costs $30 and is 10% off. What is the sale price?
3. A pen costs $2 and is 50% off. What is the sale price?

Answers:

1. $3
2. $27
3. $1

💡 Tips for Calculating Discounts

• ✔️ Always double-check your work to avoid mistakes.
• 📝 Write down each step to stay organized.
• 🤝 Practice with different examples to build your skills.

⭐ Conclusion

Calculating discounts might seem tricky at first, but with practice, you'll become a pro! Remember the key principles, use the formula, and always double-check your work. Happy calculating!