Percentage problem

[susumandrai]

The cost of a X chocolate bar is $3.50. The cost of a similar Y bar is $3.20.
(a) Find the percentage saving in buying a Y bar instead of the X bar.


(b) Find the percentage loss in buying a X bar instead of the Y bar.

 

[Deleted member 4993]

The cost of a X chocolate bar is $3.50. The cost of a similar Y bar is $3.20.
(a) Find the percentage saving in buying a Y bar instead of the X bar.


(b) Find the percentage loss in buying a X bar instead of the Y bar.

Let the cost of X bar = P

Let the cost of Y bar = F

Then saving = (P - F)/P * 100 %

Please share your work with us, indicating exactly where you are stuck - so that we may know where to begin to help you.

 

[12-year-old-poet]

There's a $0.30 difference.

a.
0.3 / 3.5 = ?
Multiply your decimal answer by 100 to find the percent.

b.
0.3 / 3.2 = ?

 

[susumandrai]

Let the cost of X bar = P

Let the cost of Y bar = F

Then saving = (P - F)/P * 100 %

Please share your work with us, indicating exactly where you are stuck - so that we may know where to begin to help you.

I was wondering if this answer is correct for (a) and (b):
(a) 0.3/3.5 *100 = 8.5714 %

(b) 0.3/3.2 * 100 = 9.375 %

 

[susumandrai]

8.5714% is correct, but it is unusual to show percentages to that many decimal places. It would be more usual to write 9% or 8.57%.

9.375% is also correct.

Can you please tell me if this explanation is correct:

(a) 0.3/3.5 *100 = 8.57 %
I am buying a X bar but instead choose a Y bar. X comes first so I divide by 3.5 here.

(b) 0.3/3.2 * 100 = 9.38 %
I am buying a Y bar but instead choose a X bar. Y comes first so I divide by 3.2 here.

This question is about percentage change so I would use the concept of (change / original value) x 100