Grade 6 Math · Topic 41

Discounts, Tax, and Tips

Real-world percents show up everywhere you spend money: discounts (sales), sales tax, and tips. Each one uses the same idea — find a percent of the price and then add or subtract it.

Lesson alignment: 6.RP.A.3.c · Take your time. You can return to this lesson whenever you need it.

Explore visually

See discounts, tax, and tips as percent changes

Change the rate and starting amount to see the added or removed part.

Think first: Predict whether the new amount will be above or below the starting amount.

Ready? Reveal the model and try your prediction

Swipe horizontally to see the full diagram.

Turn on JavaScript to adjust this model. The examples and practice below work without it.

Follow the worked examples

Read each step, then cover the explanation and see if you can explain why it works.

Worked example 1

A $50 shirt is 30% off. Find the sale price.

Find the discount first, then subtract it from the original price. Discount: 0.30 × 50 = 15. Sale price: 50 - 15 = 35. (Or: 0.70 × 50 = 35.)

Answer: $35

Worked example 2

A meal costs $24. Find the total after a 15% tip.

Find the tip amount first, then add it to the meal cost. Tip: 0.15 × 24 = 3.60. Total: 24 + 3.60 = 27.60.

Answer: $27.60

Try a few on your own

Work these on paper first. Open “Check” when you are ready to compare your answer.

  1. $80 at 25% off ⇒
    Check

    $60.00

  2. $120 at 20% off ⇒
    Check

    $96.00

  3. $30 + 8% tax ⇒
    Check

    $32.40

  4. $45 + 6% tax ⇒
    Check

    $47.70

  5. $60 meal + 18% tip ⇒
    Check

    $70.80

  6. $25 at 40% off ⇒
    Check

    $15.00

  7. $200 + 7.5% tax ⇒
    Check

    $215.00

  8. $50 meal + 20% tip ⇒
    Check

    $60.00

Try this situation 1

A pair of shoes is $75 with a 20% discount, and then a 5% sales tax is added. What is the final price?

Show a worked solution

Answer: $63.00.

Work from the sale percent or the discount amount carefully. Sale: 0.80 × 75 = 60. Tax: 0.05 × 60 = 3. Total: 60 + 3 = 63.

Try this situation 2

A restaurant bill is $48. If you tip 20%, what is the total?

Show a worked solution

Answer: $57.60.

Find the tip amount first, then add it to the meal cost. Tip: 0.20 × 48 = 9.60. Total: 48 + 9.60 = 57.60.

Fresh questions · saved on this device

Practice this skill

27 question pool

Try a fresh set each time. Answer one question, check your thinking, and read the explanation. If you miss one, return to the visual model and try another round.

Choose a session length

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Check what you learned

Answer these five questions on your own. You can review the explanations after you submit and try again whenever you like. This short check is for practice, not a grade.

1. A store is offering a 30% discount on all items. If a pair of shoes originally costs 60, what is the sale price?

2. A store marks up the cost of an item by 50% to set the selling price. If the cost is 60, and the store offers a 20% discount on the selling price, what is the final price a customer pays?

3. Marcus orders pizza that costs 24 before tip. He wants to tip 15%. What is the total amount he pays?

4. A family's restaurant bill is 60. They want to leave a 20% tip. How much is the tip?

5. A clothing store is having a sale. A jacket originally costs 75 and is on sale for 30% off. What is the sale price?

Practice and finish

Try the linked topic quiz for more practice. If something is tricky, return to the example and look for the step that changes the numbers or representation.

Open the practice quiz

Your checkmark, skill-practice sessions, and best exit-check score are saved on this browser and device. The course page can download a progress report to share with a tutor or teacher.

More Grade 6 resources

Use these free materials if you want another explanation, extra paper practice, or a broader review.

Browse free Grade 6 topic lessons ↗Print Grade 6 worksheets ↗Review Grade 6 flashcards ↗Open the formula review ↗Try the Factors, Multiples & Percents quiz ↗Try a full practice test ↗