Increasing the original price of a certain item by 15 percent and then increasing the new price by 25 percent is equivalent to increasing the original price by what percent?
Choices.
A) 31.25
B) 37.5
C) 50.0
D) 52.5
E) 43.75

Rationale: "we ' re told that the original price of an item is increased by 15 % and then that price is increased by 25 % . . . . if . . . . starting value = $ 100 + 15 % = 100 + . 15 ( 100 ) = 115 + 25 % = 115 + . 25 ( 115 ) = 115 + 28.75 = 143.75 the question asks how the final price relates to the original price . this is essentially about percentage change , which means we should use the percentage change formula : percentage change = ( new - old ) / old = difference / original doing either calculation will yield the same result : 43.75 / 100 = 43.75 % final answer : e"
Answer: E