The price for the certain item was decreased by 25% and then by 65%. By what percent was the price decreased?

New price = Price * (1 - 0.25) * (1 - 0.65) = Price*0.75*0.35 = Price*0.2625

Decrease = 1 - 0.2625 = 0.7375

73.75% decrease

Convert the two percents into decimals by moving the % sign two places to the left and dropping the % sign.

25% = 0.25

65% = 0.65

(0.65) (0.25) = 0.1625

Convert the percent into a decimal.

0.1626 = 16.25%

So, the answer is 16.25%.