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SAT Percent Word Problems: Multipliers, Discounts, and Growth

Solve SAT percentage questions using multipliers and avoid confusing the change amount with the final value.

Translate a percentage into a multiplier. A 20% increase means multiply by 1.20; a 20% decrease means multiply by 0.80.

Discount example

A $75 guide is discounted 20%. The final price is 75(0.80)=60. The discount amount is $15, but the question asks for the sale price.

After a 25% increase, a value is 100. If the original is x, then 1.25x=100, so x=80.

Check direction: after an increase the final value must be larger; after a discount it must be smaller.

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