Calculate Discount: Sound System Sale Price

Hey guys! Let's dive into a common scenario we often encounter – discounts! Imagine you're at an appliance store, eyeing that sleek sound system, but there's a price tag that needs some decoding. In this article, we'll break down a practical problem involving discounts, specifically focusing on calculating the final price of a sound system after a 15% markdown. We'll walk through the steps, ensuring you not only understand the solution but also grasp the underlying concepts so you can confidently tackle similar situations in your own shopping adventures.

Understanding the Problem

So, here's the deal: a sound system, originally priced at R$ 4,000.00, is on sale with a sweet 15% discount. The big question is: if you decide to snag this audio masterpiece, how much will it actually cost you? This is where our math skills come into play. To solve this, we need to figure out how much money the 15% discount represents and then subtract that amount from the original price. Sounds like a plan? Let's get started!

Calculating the Discount Amount

The first step in figuring out the final price is to calculate the actual amount of the discount. Remember, a percentage is just a fraction out of 100. So, 15% is the same as 15/100. To find 15% of R$ 4,000.00, we'll multiply these two values together. This is where things get interesting, and it's super important to get this step right. We're not just finding 15, but 15% of something, which translates to multiplication in math terms. Think of it like this: we're taking a portion (15%) of the whole (R$ 4,000.00). By calculating this accurately, we ensure we know exactly how much money is being shaved off the original price, setting us up for the final price calculation.

Mathematically, it looks like this:

Discount Amount = (15 / 100) * R$ 4,000.00

Now, let's simplify this. 15 divided by 100 is 0.15. So, our equation becomes:

Discount Amount = 0. 15 * R$ 4,000.00

When we multiply 0.15 by R$ 4,000.00, we get R$ 600.00. This means the discount on the sound system is R$ 600.00. See? We're already making progress! We've figured out exactly how much the price is being reduced by. This is a crucial step because it directly tells us how much less we'll be paying compared to the original price. Knowing this number is essential for making informed decisions, whether you're budgeting for a purchase or just trying to understand the real value of a sale. Stay with me, guys; we're almost at the final answer!

Determining the Final Price

Okay, we've nailed the discount amount – it's R$ 600.00. Now comes the satisfying part: figuring out the final price you'll actually pay for the sound system. Remember, the discount is the amount being subtracted from the original price. So, to find the sale price, we simply take the original price (R$ 4,000.00) and subtract the discount (R$ 600.00). This step is straightforward, but it's where everything we've calculated so far comes together to give us the answer we're looking for. It's like the grand finale of our mathematical journey, revealing the ultimate cost of this awesome sound system.

Here's the equation:

Final Price = Original Price – Discount Amount

Plugging in our values, we get:

Final Price = R$ 4,000.00 – R$ 600.00

Performing the subtraction, we find:

Final Price = R$ 3,400.00

So, there you have it! The sound system, after a 15% discount, will cost you R$ 3,400.00. We've successfully navigated the world of discounts and emerged victorious with the final price. This is more than just solving a math problem; it's about empowering ourselves to make smart financial decisions in the real world. Whether it's electronics, clothing, or anything else, knowing how to calculate discounts helps us understand the true cost of things and ensures we're getting the best deal possible.

Identifying the Correct Answer

Now that we've crunched the numbers and arrived at the final price of R$ 3,400.00, let's circle back to the multiple-choice options provided in the problem. This step is crucial to ensure we've not only solved the problem correctly but also that we can confidently identify the correct answer from a list of possibilities. It's like the final checkmark on our journey, confirming that our calculations align with the given choices. So, let's take a look at those options again and see where our answer fits in.

The options were:

a) R$ 3,720.00 b) R$ 3,420.00 c) R$ 3,600.00 d) R$ 3,520.00

Comparing our calculated final price of R$ 3,400.00 to the options, we can clearly see that none of the provided answers match our result. This might seem alarming at first, but it's a valuable learning opportunity. It highlights the importance of double-checking our work and ensuring each step was executed correctly. It's also a reminder that sometimes, errors can occur in the options themselves, which further emphasizes the need for us to be confident in our own calculations.

In this case, it appears there might be a slight discrepancy in the options provided. Our calculation, which we walked through step-by-step, clearly shows the final price after the discount should be R$ 3,400.00. Therefore, while we can't select a correct answer from the given choices, we can confidently state the accurate final price based on our work. This underscores a key skill in problem-solving: the ability to identify when something doesn't quite add up and to trust in our own understanding of the solution.

Why This Matters: Real-World Applications

So, we've successfully calculated the discounted price of the sound system. But why does this matter beyond just solving a textbook problem? Well, guys, this skill is super practical in everyday life! Think about it: sales and discounts are everywhere, from your favorite clothing store to online retailers. Knowing how to quickly calculate discounts empowers you to make smart purchasing decisions. You can instantly assess whether a “deal” is actually a good deal, avoid being misled by marketing tactics, and ultimately save money.

Imagine you're shopping for a new TV, and it's advertised as 30% off. Without the ability to calculate discounts, you might just take the advertised price at face value. But with this skill, you can quickly determine the actual savings and the final price, ensuring you're not overpaying. This is especially crucial for big-ticket items like electronics, furniture, or appliances, where even small percentage differences can translate to significant dollar amounts.

Furthermore, understanding discounts is essential for budgeting and financial planning. When you know how to calculate the true cost of items on sale, you can better allocate your resources and make informed decisions about your spending. This skill isn't just about math; it's about financial literacy and empowering yourself to be a savvy consumer. So, whether you're buying groceries, booking a vacation, or negotiating a car price, the ability to calculate discounts will serve you well throughout your life.

Practice Makes Perfect

Just like any skill, mastering discount calculations requires practice. The more you work through different scenarios, the more confident and efficient you'll become. Don't be afraid to challenge yourself with various percentage discounts and original prices. Try calculating discounts in your head while you're shopping, or use online calculators to double-check your answers. The key is to make it a habit, so it becomes second nature.

Consider these practice scenarios:

• A laptop originally priced at R$ 2,500.00 is on sale for 20% off. What's the final price?
• A pair of shoes with an original price of R$ 300.00 is marked down by 35%. How much will you pay?
• A sofa costing R$ 6,000.00 has a discount of 12%. Calculate the savings and the final price.

By working through these types of problems, you'll not only reinforce your understanding of discount calculations but also develop your problem-solving skills in general. Math isn't just about memorizing formulas; it's about applying concepts to real-world situations. So, embrace the challenge, practice regularly, and you'll be amazed at how quickly you become a discount calculation pro!

Conclusion

Alright, guys, we've reached the end of our discount calculation adventure! We started with a seemingly simple problem – figuring out the price of a sound system after a 15% discount – but we've covered so much more along the way. We've learned how to translate percentages into real-world savings, how to calculate final prices, and, perhaps most importantly, how to apply these skills to make smart financial decisions in our everyday lives. We even encountered a situation where the provided answer options didn't match our calculation, highlighting the importance of trusting our own work and double-checking everything.

Remember, understanding discounts isn't just about math; it's about empowerment. It's about being a savvy consumer, a smart shopper, and a financially literate individual. The ability to quickly and accurately calculate discounts can save you money, help you make informed purchasing decisions, and give you the confidence to navigate the world of sales and promotions. So, keep practicing, keep applying these skills, and keep being awesome shoppers!

And hey, the next time you see a tempting discount, you'll be ready to tackle it head-on, armed with the knowledge and skills you've gained today. Happy shopping, everyone!