Choosing between a percent discount and a flat rebate
Two offers on the same item, one a percent and one a fixed dollar amount. Convert the percent to dollars and the comparison becomes trivial.
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ALEKS randomizes the numbers each attempt, but the question shape stays the same. Here are three example versions you might see.
A $340 jacket: 30% off or a $95 rebate.
How much more does the better offer save? Type just the number.
A $1,250 television: 15% off or a $200 rebate.
How much more does the better offer save? Type just the number.
A $620 mattress: 20% off or a $124 rebate.
How much more does the better offer save? Type just the number.
A $480 bicycle has two offers.
Offer A: 25% off. Offer B: $110 mail-in rebate.
Which saves more, and by how much?
Convert offer A to dollars
Which is bigger?
By how much?
Where the crossover sits
At this price the percent wins. Drop the bicycle to $440 and 25% is exactly $110, a dead tie. Below that, the rebate wins.
That is the useful idea: a percent scales with the price and a rebate does not. Percent offers are better on expensive things, flat rebates on cheap ones. Knowing that means you can often see the answer before computing it.