The shoe department is offering \( 15 \% \) off all shoes. If Mrs. Sunderland saved \( \$ 12.30 \), how much were the shoes full price?

To find the full price of the shoes, we can set up the equation based on the discount. If \( 15\% \) off equals \( \$ 12.30 \), we can express this as \( 0.15 \times \text{Full Price} = 12.30 \). Solving for the Full Price gives us \( \text{Full Price} = \frac{12.30}{0.15} = 82.00 \). So, the shoes were originally priced at \( \$ 82.00 \). Now, let's dive a little into the world of discounts: many shoppers might overlook how much savings can come from applying percentages effectively. Being aware of how to convert percentages to decimals can help when you're shopping during sales! Just divide by 100, and then you can easily calculate the savings like Mrs. Sunderland did! Also, when shopping for deals, particularly during big sales events, doing a quick mental math check can save you time and help avoid overpriced items. Keep your calculator handy, or even better—try calculating discounts in your head to build those mental math skills! Practice makes perfect, after all.