Functional Skills Maths: Discounts

Work out money off and sale prices

What is a Discount?

  • A discount is money taken off the original price.
  • 10% off £50: save £5, pay £45.
  • A higher percentage off means a bigger saving.

Calculating Discounts

  • Step 1: Find the percentage of the original price.
  • Step 2: Subtract that from the original price.
  • Example: 20% off £60 — find 20% (£12), pay £60 − £12 = £48.

Common Discounts

  • 50% off = half price.
  • 25% off = save a quarter.
  • 10% off = save one tenth.
  • Buy one get one free (BOGOF) = effectively 50% off.

Worked Examples

Example 1: 20% off £60

  1. Find 10% first: £60 ÷ 10 = £6.
  2. 20% = 2 × 10% = 2 × £6 = £12.
  3. Sale price: £60 − £12 = £48.

Example 2: 25% off £80

  1. 25% = one quarter.
  2. £80 ÷ 4 = £20 saved.
  3. Sale price: £80 − £20 = £60.

Practice Questions

  • 10% off £70. How much do you pay?
    Hint: 10% of £70 = £7. Pay £70 − £7.
    Answer: £63
  • 50% off £24. Sale price?
    Hint: 50% = half. £24 ÷ 2.
    Answer: £12
  • 25% off £40. How much is saved?
    Hint: 25% of £40 = £40 ÷ 4.
    Answer: £10
Start the interactive lesson →

You can also explore the interactive quiz and progress tracking in the SENtree Learning app.