California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP) Math Practice Exam

If a pair of shoes costs $60 after a 20% discount, what was the original price?

1. $50

2. $60

3. $75

4. $80

The correct answer is: $75

To determine the original price of the shoes before the discount, we first need to understand how discounts work. A 20% discount means that the price after the discount is 80% of the original price. The equation can be set up as follows: Let the original price be represented as \( P \). A 20% discount on this price means that the shoes cost 80% of the original price after the discount is applied. Therefore, we can express this relationship mathematically: \[ 0.80P = 60 \] To find the original price \( P \), we can rearrange the equation: \[ P = \frac{60}{0.80} \] Now, performing the division: \[ P = 75 \] Thus, the original price of the shoes was $75. This aligns with the calculation, confirming that $75 is indeed accurate based on the provided discount and final price. This reasoning highlights a crucial aspect of understanding percentages and discounts that are often tested in math assessments.