Understanding Discounts with AFCT Arithmetic Reasoning

When preparing for the Armed Forces Classification Test (AFCT), it's essential to hone your arithmetic reasoning skills. A critical aspect of this involves understanding discounts, which often come up in the test. So let’s dive right in—how do you calculate the sale price of an item when a discount is applied?

You might remember buying something on sale and letting out a little sigh of relief when you see how much you save. Same deal here! Let's take a real-world example: If an item is priced at $120 with a 20% discount, what’s the final amount you have to fork over?

Here's the simple breakdown:

First things first, calculate that discount

To figure out how much the discount actually is, you multiply the original price by the discount percentage.

1. Calculate 20% of $120: [ 0.20 \times 120 = 24 ]

Boom! That means we're saving $24—in other words, the discount is $24.

Now for the sale price: Subtract the discount

Next, grab that discount amount and subtract it from the original price. It’s like taking the joy of saving right to the checkout!

2. Sale Price Calculation: [ 120 - 24 = 96 ]

This quick calculation tells us that the sale price of the item is $96. So, if you're strolling through a store thinking about how you can work all those calculations in your head, remember that in this case, you save $24, and that's 20% off the original price!

Why does this matter?

You know what? Discounts aren’t just about saving a few bucks; they teach us about percentages and applying arithmetic in real life. Plus, when you're asked these types of questions on the AFCT, knowing the method helps you think quicker and more accurately.

It's not only about the numbers; it's also about understanding the logic behind them. Mastering these concepts will not only impress your instructors but also boost your confidence, allowing you to tackle similar problems with ease.

Conclusion: A little math can go a long way

So, there you have it! The next time you see a price tag with a discount, you’ll be ready. Practice makes perfect, too, so keep honing those skills. Every problem you work through gets you closer to mastering the arithmetic reasoning section of the AFCT. You’ve got this!