How to Calculate a Discount: Formula, Examples & Double Discounts

To calculate a discount, use Discount Amount = (Discount % ÷ 100) × Original Price, then Final Price = Original Price − Discount Amount. Example: a shirt priced at Rp200,000 with a 25% discount → discount amount = (25 ÷ 100) × 200,000 = Rp50,000, so the final price = 200,000 − 50,000 = Rp150,000.

What Is a Discount?

A discount is a reduction from an item's original price, usually expressed as a percentage (%). We meet discounts when shopping in malls, marketplaces, or sale events. Knowing how to calculate a discount helps you see how much you actually save and what you need to pay.

A discount is essentially calculating a percentage applied to a price.

The Discount Formula

Two main steps:

Or the quick one-step way:

Quick example: a 25% discount means you pay 75% of the price → 200,000 × 0.75 = Rp150,000.

Worked Examples

Example 1: A Single Discount ⭐

Shoes priced at Rp350,000 have a 40% discount. What is the final price?

• Discount amount = (40 ÷ 100) × 350,000 = Rp140,000
• Final price = 350,000 − 140,000 = Rp210,000

Example 2: Finding the Discount % ⭐⭐

A bag originally Rp250,000 is now sold at Rp200,000. What is the discount percentage?

• Discount amount = 250,000 − 200,000 = Rp50,000
• Discount % = (50,000 ÷ 250,000) × 100% = 20%

Example 3: Stacked / Double Discounts ⭐⭐⭐

A jacket of Rp400,000 has "50% + 20%". Careful — this is NOT a 70% discount!

• After 50%: 400,000 × 0.5 = Rp200,000
• After the next 20%: 200,000 × 0.8 = Rp160,000
• Total saving = 400,000 − 160,000 = Rp240,000 (equal to 60%, not 70%)

💡 Remember: Stacked discounts are applied one after another, not added. 50% + 20% = 60%, not 70%.

Quick Discount Table

Discounts with VAT

Sometimes VAT (PPN) is added after the discount. The order: calculate the discounted price first, then add VAT.

Example: an item of Rp100,000 with a 20% discount → Rp80,000, then 11% VAT → 80,000 × 1.11 = Rp88,800.

Practice Problems

⭐ Problem 1 (Easy): A book priced at Rp60,000 has a 15% discount. What is the final price?

⭐⭐ Problem 2 (Medium): Shoes originally Rp400,000 are now Rp320,000. What is the discount %?

⭐⭐⭐ Problem 3 (Challenge): A bag of Rp500,000 has "40% + 10%". What is the final price, and what total discount % does it equal?

Answer Key:

1. Discount = (15 ÷ 100) × 60,000 = 9,000 → final = 60,000 − 9,000 = Rp51,000.
2. Discount = 400,000 − 320,000 = 80,000 → (80,000 ÷ 400,000) × 100% = 20%.
3. After 40%: 500,000 × 0.6 = 300,000. After 10%: 300,000 × 0.9 = Rp270,000. Total saving 230,000 = 46% (not 50%).

Summary

1. A discount is a price cut, found with (% ÷ 100) × Original Price.
2. Final price = Original − Discount, or Original × (100 − %)/100.
3. Stacked discounts apply in sequence — 50% + 20% = 60%, not 70%.
4. With VAT, apply the discount first, then add the tax.

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