Percentage · Beginner

Combine two successive discounts

For discounts a% and b%, the effective discount is a + b - ab/100 percent.

01

The fast method

10 + 20 - (10 × 20 / 100) = 28.

How it works

For discounts a% and b%, the effective discount is a + b - ab/100 percent. Remaining price fraction is (1-a/100)(1-b/100). Subtracting from 1 gives the formula.

02

Why it works

Remaining price fraction is (1-a/100)(1-b/100). Subtracting from 1 gives the formula.
Use it when

Both discounts must be applied successively to the reduced price, with rates from 0 to 100.

Watch out for

Do not simply add the discount rates.

03

Verified examples

Example 1

Combine 10% and 20% discounts

10 + 20 - (10 × 20 / 100) = 28.

28%
Example 2

Combine 20% and 25% discounts

20 + 25 - 5 = 40.

40%
Example 3

Combine 10% and 10% discounts

10 + 10 - 1 = 19.

19%