A dress that normally costs $69.50 is on sale for 45% off. What is the sale price of the dress?

The answer is $38.22.

Since 45% of the dress price is off, that means that the price is 55% (100% - 45% = 55%) of the first price.

To calculate how much 55% is and how much the dress costs now, we will use the proportion:

$69.50 : 100% = $x : 55%

After crossing the products:

x = %69.50 · 55% : 100% = $38.225 ≈ $38.22