Washila calculated that the kitchen shop she manages had a decrease of \( 21.5 \% \) in sales this month compared to last month. If sales last month were \( \$ 187,000 \), what were sales this month?

To find the sales for this month, we first need to calculate the decrease in sales. A \( 21.5\% \) decrease from last month's sales of \( \$ 187,000 \) can be calculated as follows: \[ \text{Decrease} = 0.215 \times 187,000 = 40,405 \] Now, we subtract this decrease from last month’s sales: \[ \text{Sales this month} = 187,000 - 40,405 = 146,595 \] So, the sales this month were \( \$ 146,595 \)! It’s fascinating to note that fluctuations in sales are quite common in retail, often influenced by factors like seasonality, promotions, or even economic shifts. Many shops keep a close eye on these trends to adjust their inventory and marketing strategies accordingly for better performance. When calculating percentages in sales or other financial figures, a common mistake is to confuse the original value with the decrease or difference. Always ensure you clearly differentiate between the total amount and the percentage you need to compute off that amount to avoid mix-ups that could lead to incorrect figures!