Markdowns and Discounts

Our Learning Business Math software program contains over 35 topic areas. One of them is Markdowns and Discounts, and this page summarizes the main ideas of this topic. This page is intended for review, and is not a substitute for the interactive, self-paced tutorials of the MathTutor Learning Business Math program.

General Explanation

Stores will often sell items at a sale price which is lower than the regular price of the item.
 
The amount of money you save by purchasing a product at the sale price is known as the markdown or discount.
 
For example, if a pair of jeans normally sells for $29.95, and today it is selling for $24.95, what is the markdown on the item?
Markdown = Regular Price - Sale Price
Markdown = $29.95 - $24.95
Markdown = $5.00
Sometimes, the markdown of an item is expressed as a percent of the regular selling price. This is referred to as the markdown rate or discount rate. For example, if Sal's Drugstore is having a sale in which all pain relievers are advertised at 35% off, we would say the markdown rate is 35%.
 
Sample Problem

A vacuum cleaner that normally sells for $180 is on sale. The markdown rate is 25%. What is the selling price of the vacuum cleaner?

Solution

To find the selling price of the vacuum cleaner, we will first calculate the amount of the markdown. The markdown rate is 25%. When written as a decimal number, the markdown rate is .25.
Markdown = Regular Price x Markdown Rate
Markdown = $180 x .25
Markdown = $45
To find the sale price, we subtract the markdown from the regular price.
Sale Price = Regular Price - Markdown
Sale Price = $180 - $45 = $135
The sale price of the vacuum cleaner is $135.