Which is the better bargain: A shirt that is marked down 10 percent from its original price and then reduced an additional 40 percent or the same shirt reduced 50 percent from its original price?

For a \$100 shirt: 10% then 40% means \$100 → \$90 (after 10% off) → \$54 (after 40% off the \$90). The final price is \$54, meaning you saved \$46 (46% total). A straight 50% off means \$100 → $50, saving $50. The 50% single discount is better because you save more ($50 vs $46). Sequential discounts apply to decreasing amounts, so total discount is always less than the sum.