In <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Donald Burrill 
wrote:
> On Fri, 14 Dec 2001, Wuensch, Karl L wrote:
> 
> > I came across a table of costume jewelry at a department store with a 
> > sign that said "150% off. "  I asked them how much they would pay me to 
> > take it all off of their hands.  I had to explain to them what 150% 
> > meant, and they then explained to me how percentages are computed in 
> > the retail trade:  first we cut the price in half (50%).  Then we cut 
> > it in half again.  Now we have cut it in half a third time. 
> >  50% + 50% + 50% = 150% off.
> 
...
> But back to your retail trade:  if they advertise a 150% discount 
> directly, without referring to the sequence of three 50% discounts, might 
> they not be liable to legal action for misrepresentation?
> 
>               -- DFB.
>  ------------------------------------------------------------------------
>  Donald F. Burrill                                 [EMAIL PROTECTED]
>  184 Nashua Road, Bedford, NH 03110                          603-471-7128
> 
> 

I would tell the clerk in the store, "Ah, you get 150% off by taking 75%-off 
of 75%-off.  I'll take it." (1/16 price vs. 50%-off 50%-off 50%-off =1/8 
price).

--
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Lee Altenberg, Ph.D.
E-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
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