Calculating Discounts How Much Did Mr. Dupree Pay At Wendy's

Understanding Discounts and Percentages

In our daily lives, discounts play a significant role, especially when we're trying to make the most of our budget. Understanding how percentages work is crucial for calculating savings and making informed purchasing decisions. Discounts, often expressed as percentages, represent a reduction in the original price of an item or service. In this article, we will delve into a real-world scenario involving a discount at a popular fast-food chain, Wendy's, to illustrate the practical application of percentage calculations. Mastering the art of calculating discounts not only helps us save money but also enhances our financial literacy. For example, consider scenarios like Black Friday sales or seasonal promotions, where understanding discounts can significantly impact our spending habits. By grasping the fundamentals of percentage calculations, we can confidently navigate various situations involving price reductions and make sound financial choices. This skill is invaluable for everyday transactions, from grocery shopping to purchasing big-ticket items. Furthermore, understanding discounts empowers us to compare prices effectively and identify the best deals available. In a world filled with promotional offers and sales events, the ability to quickly calculate discounts is a valuable asset. It allows us to assess the true value of a product or service and make informed decisions that align with our financial goals. So, let's dive into the world of discounts and percentages and unlock the secrets to saving money.

The Scenario: Mr. Dupree's Wendy's Order

Our scenario focuses on Mr. Dupree, who visits Wendy's and orders $14 worth of food. This is our starting point, the original price of his meal before any discounts are applied. Mr. Dupree is a savvy customer, and he has a coupon that entitles him to a 15% discount on his entire order. This coupon is the key element in our calculation, representing the percentage reduction in the original price. The challenge now is to determine exactly how much money Mr. Dupree will save and what his final bill will be after applying the discount. This scenario is a perfect example of how math concepts can be applied in everyday situations. We encounter similar scenarios frequently, whether we're shopping for clothes, dining out, or booking travel accommodations. Understanding how to calculate discounts allows us to accurately estimate our expenses and make informed financial decisions. In Mr. Dupree's case, the 15% discount could represent a significant saving, depending on his overall budget. By working through this example, we'll not only learn the specific calculation involved but also gain a broader understanding of how discounts work in various contexts. This knowledge empowers us to be more mindful consumers and make the most of our purchasing power. So, let's break down the steps involved in calculating Mr. Dupree's discounted bill and uncover the final price he'll pay at Wendy's. This exercise will not only sharpen our math skills but also enhance our ability to handle real-world financial situations with confidence.

Step-by-Step Calculation of the Discount

To determine the amount Mr. Dupree saved, we need to calculate 15% of $14. This involves converting the percentage into a decimal and then multiplying it by the original price. The first step is to convert 15% into its decimal equivalent. To do this, we divide 15 by 100, which gives us 0.15. This decimal represents the fraction of the original price that will be discounted. Next, we multiply the decimal (0.15) by the original price ($14). This calculation will give us the exact dollar amount of the discount. So, 0.15 multiplied by $14 equals $2.10. This means that Mr. Dupree's coupon saves him $2.10 on his order. This is a crucial step in determining the final price he will pay. Understanding how to convert percentages to decimals and perform this calculation is a fundamental skill in financial literacy. It allows us to quickly and accurately calculate discounts in various situations, from retail sales to restaurant promotions. In Mr. Dupree's case, the $2.10 discount represents a tangible saving that reduces his overall expenses. By mastering this calculation, we can confidently navigate the world of discounts and promotions and make informed decisions that benefit our wallets. So, let's move on to the next step, where we'll subtract this discount amount from the original price to determine Mr. Dupree's final bill at Wendy's.

Calculating the Final Price

Now that we know the discount amount ($2.10), we can calculate the final price Mr. Dupree paid. To do this, we simply subtract the discount from the original price. The original price of Mr. Dupree's order was $14. Subtracting the $2.10 discount from $14 gives us $11.90. This is the final amount Mr. Dupree paid after applying the 15% discount coupon. This calculation demonstrates the practical impact of discounts on our spending. By using the coupon, Mr. Dupree effectively reduced his meal cost from $14 to $11.90. This represents a significant saving, especially if he frequents Wendy's regularly. Understanding how to calculate the final price after a discount is a valuable skill for budgeting and financial planning. It allows us to accurately track our expenses and make informed decisions about our spending habits. In Mr. Dupree's case, knowing the final price of his meal helps him manage his budget and ensure he's staying within his financial goals. This simple calculation underscores the importance of understanding percentages and discounts in our daily lives. So, by mastering these concepts, we can become more financially savvy and make the most of our money. Now, let's summarize our findings and confirm the correct answer to the original question.

Solution and Answer

Based on our calculations, Mr. Dupree ended up paying $11.90 after using the 15% discount coupon. This corresponds to option (b) in the provided choices. We arrived at this answer by first calculating the discount amount, which was 15% of $14, resulting in $2.10. Then, we subtracted this discount from the original price to find the final price, which was $14 minus $2.10, equaling $11.90. This step-by-step approach highlights the importance of breaking down complex problems into smaller, manageable steps. By carefully following each step, we can ensure accuracy and avoid errors in our calculations. In this case, understanding the relationship between percentages, decimals, and discounts was crucial to arriving at the correct answer. This example demonstrates how mathematical concepts can be applied to real-world scenarios, such as calculating discounts at a restaurant. By mastering these skills, we can become more confident in our ability to handle financial transactions and make informed decisions about our spending. So, the correct answer to the question is (b) $11.90, which represents the final price Mr. Dupree paid after applying the discount at Wendy's. This solution reinforces the practical application of percentage calculations in everyday situations.

Conclusion: The Power of Discounts

In conclusion, understanding how to calculate discounts is a valuable skill that can save us money and improve our financial literacy. Mr. Dupree's experience at Wendy's perfectly illustrates this point. By using a 15% discount coupon, he was able to reduce his meal cost from $14 to $11.90, saving him $2.10. This simple calculation demonstrates the tangible benefits of understanding percentages and discounts. In a world filled with promotional offers and sales events, the ability to quickly and accurately calculate discounts is essential for making informed purchasing decisions. Whether we're shopping for groceries, clothing, or electronics, discounts can significantly impact our overall spending. By mastering the art of calculating discounts, we can become more financially savvy consumers and make the most of our money. This skill empowers us to compare prices effectively, identify the best deals, and stay within our budget. Furthermore, understanding discounts can help us avoid impulsive purchases and make more thoughtful decisions about our spending habits. So, let's embrace the power of discounts and continue to sharpen our mathematical skills to navigate the world of finance with confidence. This knowledge will not only benefit us in our personal lives but also in our professional endeavors, where financial literacy is increasingly important. By understanding the impact of discounts , we can make more informed decisions, save money, and achieve our financial goals.