Percentage discounts

Quick answer

Percentage discounts help you find how much money you save when something is on sale. You can calculate this by finding a percentage of the original price and then subtracting it from the full price.

Learning outcome

By the end of this page, you will be able to find the discount amount and final sale price when given a percentage discount and the original price.

• You can calculate how much money is saved when something is on sale.
• You can work out the new price after a discount is applied.
• You can use your knowledge of percentages to compare sale prices.
• You can explain how to find a discount using simple steps.

Why this matters

Knowing how to work with percentage discounts helps you make smart shopping choices. Whether you’re buying a new toy, clothes, or even a birthday cake, understanding discounts means you can see how much you really save. It's a useful skill for life – from helping parents with shopping to planning your own pocket money.

Discounts also help you understand percentages better, which is important for more advanced maths later on. When you learn to calculate discounts, you're practising division, multiplication, and working with parts of a whole – all important skills!

How it works

Here’s how to find a percentage discount:

1. Find the percentage of the original price. This means working out what a certain number of parts out of 100 is.
2. Subtract that amount from the original price. This gives you the final sale price.

For example, if a toy costs £20 and is 25% off, you first find 25% of £20, which is £5. Then, you take £5 away from £20 to get the final price of £15.

Examples you can see

Let’s try a few examples together. We'll use a real-world situation to make it easier to imagine.

Example 1: A pair of shoes costs £40. There is a 10% discount. What is the discount amount and the final price?

1. Find 10% of £40: 10% = 10/100 = 0.1, so 0.1 × £40 = £4
2. Subtract the discount from the original price: £40 – £4 = £36
3. The final price is £36.

Example 2: A book costs £12. There is a 20% discount. What is the discount amount and the final price?

1. Find 20% of £12: 20% = 20/100 = 0.2, so 0.2 × £12 = £2.40
2. Subtract the discount from the original price: £12 – £2.40 = £9.60
3. The final price is £9.60.

Example 3: A cake costs £8. It’s 50% off. What is the discount amount and the final price?

1. Find 50% of £8: 50% = 50/100 = 0.5, so 0.5 × £8 = £4
2. Subtract the discount from the original price: £8 – £4 = £4
3. The final price is £4.

Try it as a mini adventure

Imagine you're going on a shopping trip with your family. You have a budget of £30 and want to buy a new toy and a snack. You find a toy that costs £24 and is 25% off. You also find a snack that costs £5 and is 10% off.

Step 1: Calculate the discount for the toy.

1. Find 25% of £24: 25% = 0.25, so 0.25 × £24 = £6
2. Subtract the discount: £24 – £6 = £18
3. The toy costs £18 after the discount.

Step 2: Calculate the discount for the snack.

1. Find 10% of £5: 10% = 0.1, so 0.1 × £5 = £0.50
2. Subtract the discount: £5 – £0.50 = £4.50
3. The snack costs £4.50 after the discount.

Step 3: Add up the final prices to see if you’re under budget.

£18 + £4.50 = £22.50

You have spent £22.50, which is less than your £30 budget – great job!

Common mistakes

• Mistake: Forgetting to subtract the discount from the original price.
  Why it happens: Children may think that finding the percentage is enough.
  Fix: Always remember to subtract the discount amount from the original price to get the final price.
• Mistake: Using the wrong percentage calculation.
  Why it happens: Confusing percentage with decimal or fraction.
  Fix: Remember that 10% = 0.1, 25% = 0.25, and 50% = 0.5. You can also think of it as dividing by 100.
• Mistake: Adding the discount to the original price instead of subtracting it.
  Why it happens: Misunderstanding the meaning of “discount.”
  Fix: A discount means you save money, so it should be taken away from the price.

Parent and carer guide

Helping your child understand percentage discounts is easy and fun! Here are a few tips:

• Use real shopping examples when you're out. Ask your child to calculate the discount on an item.
• Encourage your child to use a calculator or a notebook to check their work.
• Ask questions like: “How much money do you save?” or “What’s the final price?” to help them think through the steps.
• Don’t worry if your child makes a mistake – it’s part of learning. Focus on the process, not just the answer.
• Keep the activity light and fun. You could even play a game where you pretend to be shopkeepers and customers.

Practice questions

1. A T-shirt costs £15 and is 20% off. What is the discount amount and final price?
2. A bag costs £30 and is 15% off. What is the discount amount and final price?
3. A book costs £10 and is 30% off. What is the discount amount and final price?
4. A toy costs £25 and is 40% off. What is the discount amount and final price?
5. A pair of socks costs £6 and is 50% off. What is the discount amount and final price?

Answers:

1. Discount: £3, Final price: £12
2. Discount: £4.50, Final price: £25.50
3. Discount: £3, Final price: £7
4. Discount: £10, Final price: £15
5. Discount: £3, Final price: £3

FAQ

What is a percentage discount?

A percentage discount is a reduction in price based on a percentage. For example, if something is 20% off, you save 20 parts out of every 100 parts of the original price.

How do I calculate a percentage discount?

First, find the percentage of the original price (multiply the price by the percentage as a decimal). Then, subtract that amount from the original price to get the final sale price.

Why do stores offer percentage discounts?

Stores offer discounts to attract customers, clear out old stock, or celebrate special events. Discounts help customers feel like they’re getting a good deal.

Can I use a calculator for percentage discounts?

Yes! A calculator can help you work out percentages quickly and accurately. It’s a good tool to use when checking your work or dealing with larger numbers.

How can I practice percentage discounts at home?

You can practice by looking at sale prices in newspapers, online, or at the store. Try calculating the discount and final price yourself before checking the actual sale price.