2019 AMC 8 Problem 22

Attempt Problem 22 of the 2019 AMC 8 below, then check your answer against the video solution and professionally curated solution from LIVE by Po-Shen Loh. You can also try the full timed exam, view all 2019 AMC 8 solutions, or check the answer key.

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22.

A store increased the original price of a shirt by a certain percent and then decreased the new price by the same percent. Given that the resulting price was 84%84\% of the original price, by what percent was the price increased and decreased?
1616
2020
2828
3636
4040
Answer: E
Concepts:percentagedifference of squares
Small hint:
An increase by xx and decrease by xx multiplies by (1+x)(1−x)(1 + x)(1 - x)
Big hint:
Set 1−x2=0.841 - x^2 = 0.84
Video solution:
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Written solution:
Let xx be the percent converted to a real number. Then the percent increase would multiply the original by 1+x.1 + x.
The percent decrease would multiply the new price by 1−x.1 - x. The final price will then be the original price multiplied by (1+x)(1−x)=1−x2=0.84. (1 + x)(1 - x) = 1 - x^2 = 0.84.
This tells us that x2=0.16⇒x=0.4. x^2 = 0.16 \Rightarrow x = 0.4.
This tells us that the percent would be 40%.40\%.
Thus, the correct answer is E.
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