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    Problem Solving & Data AnalysisEasy

    Percentages

    Calculate percent change, percent of a total, and work with successive percentage changes.

    Sample SAT Problem

    A jacket costs $80. After a 15% discount, what is the sale price?

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    Step-by-Step Solution

    Discount = 0.15 × 80 = $12. Sale price = 80 − 12 = $68.

    Key Tips from Pamela

    • Percent change = (new − old) / old × 100.
    • For successive changes, multiply the multipliers: 20% up then 20% down is 0.96×, not 1×.
    • "What percent of" means divide and multiply by 100.

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