Percentage Decrease

MathematicsAQAEdexcelGCSEUnit: Ratio & Proportion
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The basics

The Sale Discount

💸 The Sale Discount

Maya sees a laptop priced at £800 with a 25% discount. How much will she pay?

This is a percentage decrease problem - we need to find the new amount after a reduction. Whether it's discounts, depreciation, or population decline, the multiplier method makes these calculations quick and accurate.

What is a percentage decrease?: Finding a new amount after subtracting a percentage from the original amount
Key terms

Mathematics glossary

What is a percentage decrease?
Finding a new amount after subtracting a percentage from the original amount
Exam tip

Earn the mark scheme marks

💡 Exam Tips: Percentage Decrease

  • Always subtract from 1 - the percentage (as decimal) to get the multiplier
  • Check your multiplier - it should always be less than 1 for decreases
  • Show your working - write out the multiplier calculation
  • Round sensibly - money to nearest penny, people to whole numbers
  • Check your answer - new amount should be smaller than original
  • Look for key words: "decrease", "discount", "reduction", "fall", "depreciation"
  • Watch units - keep them consistent throughout

Now try it yourself

Quiz · Question 1 of 12

What multiplier is used to decrease a value by 35%?

Tap an answer to check it

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