Answer: $42.35
Step-by-step explanation:
Let's denote the original price of the phone as \( P \). The sale price is obtained by reducing the original price by 15%.
The formula to calculate the sale price (\( SP \)) is:
\[ SP = P - 0.15 \times P \]
Given that the phone is reduced by $36, we can set up the equation:
\[ SP = P - 36 \]
Now, we can substitute the expression for \( SP \) from the first equation into the second equation:
\[ P - 0.15 \times P = P - 36 \]
Combine like terms:
\[ 0.85 \times P = 36 \]
Now, solve for \( P \):
\[ P = \frac{36}{0.85} \]
\[ P \approx 42.35 \]
Therefore, the original price of the phone was approximately $42.35.
