FINANCE

Finding the true value of a "discount"

Suppose you go into a store that advertises everything in stock at 15% off. This could be a real bargain, or a disaster! 15% off an unrealistically high suggested retail price may still be 50-75% higher than you could get down the street at a discount store.

Suppose we enter a store advertising all items 15% off the marked price. To find the real cost, use the Business Percentage application in HP CALC (on the 100/200LX press (MENU) Applications Business%. On the 95LX press (MENU) Bus%).

Let's say the retail price of our item is $137.75. In HP CALC's Business Percentages screen, type 137.75 and press (F7) (TOTAL). Next key in 85 and press (F9) (%TOTAL). (This stands for percentage of the total. A 15% discount translates into 85% of the total price). Press (F8) (PART) to find that the item costs $117.09.

To continue, highlight the line Total amount ............ TOTAL and key in the new item price -- for example, 6.50. Then press (ENTER) (F8) (PART) to discover your actual price of $5.53.