Calculating Jim's Discounted Calculator Price A Math Problem Solved

Hey everyone! Let's break down this math problem together. Jim's snagging a calculator, but it's on sale, which is awesome! We need to figure out exactly how much he's paying after that discount. The original price and the discount percentage are crucial pieces of information here. So, let's dive in and make sure we get the correct final price for Jim's calculator.

Understanding the Problem

The core question here is quite straightforward: what's the final price Jim pays for the calculator after the discount is applied? But to get there, we need to understand a few key concepts. Firstly, we have the original price, which is $89. This is the starting point. Secondly, we have the discount, which is 25%. This means Jim gets to subtract 25% of the original price from the original price itself. The tricky part is calculating what 25% of $89 actually is. Once we know that, we can subtract it from the original price and find our answer. Remember, discounts are a percentage reduction of the original price, so we're essentially finding a part of the whole and then subtracting it.

Breaking Down the Discount

Let's zoom in on the discount itself. A discount of 25% might sound simple, but it's essential to convert it into a usable number for our calculation. Think of percentages as fractions out of 100. So, 25% is the same as 25/100. To make this even easier to work with, we can convert this fraction into a decimal. Dividing 25 by 100 gives us 0.25. This decimal is our discount factor. Now, we can use this discount factor to find the actual dollar amount Jim saves. We simply multiply the original price ($89) by the discount factor (0.25). This will give us the amount of the discount in dollars, which we can then subtract from the original price.

Calculating the Discount Amount

Okay, time for some actual math! We've established that we need to find 25% of $89. We've also figured out that 25% is the same as 0.25. So, let's multiply those two numbers together: $89 * 0.25. If you do the math (either by hand or with your own calculator!), you'll find that the result is $22.25. This is the amount of money Jim is saving thanks to the discount. It's the difference between the original price and what he'll actually pay. But remember, this isn't the final answer yet! We still need to subtract this discount amount from the original price to find out what Jim's final cost is.

Finding the Final Price

We're in the home stretch now! We know the original price of the calculator is $89, and we've calculated that Jim's discount is $22.25. To find the final price, we simply subtract the discount from the original price: $89 - $22.25. Performing this subtraction will give us the final amount Jim pays for the calculator. This is the actual cost after taking the 25% discount into account. This final step is crucial to answering the question correctly. So, let's do the subtraction and see what we get!

The Final Calculation

Let's subtract! $89 - $22.25 equals $66.75. So, Jim pays $66.75 for the calculator after the 25% discount. We've gone through each step carefully, from understanding the problem to breaking down the discount and finally calculating the final price. It's essential to take your time with these types of problems to ensure accuracy. Now, let's check our answer against the options provided to make sure we've chosen the correct one.

Checking the Answer Options

Now that we've calculated the final price to be $66.75, let's look at the answer options provided: A) $74.50, B) $75.50, C) $66.75, and D) $72.50. By comparing our calculated answer with these options, we can clearly see that option C, $66.75, matches our result. This confirms that we've gone through the process correctly and found the accurate final price. Always double-check your answer against the given options to avoid making a mistake, especially in multiple-choice questions. It's a simple step that can save you from choosing the wrong answer even if you've done all the calculations correctly.

Why Other Options Are Incorrect

It's helpful to understand why the other options are incorrect, not just that $66.75 is the right answer. This helps solidify your understanding of the problem and the process. The other options likely represent common mistakes people might make when calculating discounts. For example, someone might mistakenly add the discount amount instead of subtracting it, or they might calculate the discount on the discounted price instead of the original price. By recognizing these potential errors, you can be more mindful and avoid making them yourself. Understanding the logic behind the correct answer and the errors that lead to incorrect answers is a crucial part of mastering math concepts.

Importance of Understanding Discounts

Understanding discounts is super practical in everyday life. Whether you're shopping for clothes, electronics, or even groceries, sales and discounts are everywhere! Knowing how to calculate discounts accurately helps you make informed decisions about your purchases. It allows you to compare prices effectively, determine if a sale is truly a good deal, and ultimately save money. This skill isn't just for math class; it's a valuable life skill that you'll use constantly. So, mastering the concept of discounts is definitely worth the effort!

Real-World Application of Discount Calculations

Beyond just shopping, discount calculations are relevant in various real-world scenarios. Think about businesses offering promotions, financial institutions calculating interest rates, or even restaurants offering coupons. The underlying principle of calculating a percentage reduction or increase is the same. The ability to confidently calculate these percentages empowers you to analyze financial information, understand pricing strategies, and make sound financial decisions. So, what you've learned in this problem about calculating discounts has far-reaching applications beyond just figuring out the price of a discounted calculator.

Tips for Calculating Discounts Quickly

Want to become a discount calculation pro? Here are a few tips to help you speed up your calculations: Firstly, try to memorize common percentage-to-decimal conversions. Knowing that 25% is 0.25, 50% is 0.5, and 10% is 0.1 will save you time. Secondly, practice mental math techniques. For example, to find 10% of a number, simply move the decimal place one position to the left. Thirdly, use estimation to check your answers. If a discount seems too high or too low, it's a sign to double-check your calculations. With practice, you'll be able to calculate discounts quickly and accurately, making you a savvy shopper and a confident math whiz!

Practice Makes Perfect

Like any skill, mastering discount calculations takes practice. The more you practice, the more comfortable and confident you'll become. Try working through different examples with varying original prices and discount percentages. You can find practice problems online, in textbooks, or even create your own scenarios. Don't be afraid to make mistakes – they're a natural part of the learning process. The key is to learn from your mistakes and keep practicing until you feel confident in your ability to calculate discounts accurately. So, grab a calculator (or try doing it in your head!) and start practicing!

Conclusion: Jim's Savvy Purchase

So, there you have it! Jim smartly paid $66.75 for his calculator after the 25% discount. We walked through the process step-by-step, from understanding the problem to calculating the discount amount and finally arriving at the final price. Remember, calculating discounts is a valuable skill that has practical applications in everyday life. By understanding the concepts and practicing regularly, you can become a discount calculation master! And just like Jim, you can make smart purchasing decisions and save money along the way.