Bulk purchase discount from unit versus dozen pricing A single apple costs $25. A dozen apples cost $250. What is the approximate percentage discount when buying by the dozen compared to buying 12 singles?

Introduction / Context:
This problem compares unit pricing to bulk pricing to find the buyer’s effective discount. The base for discount is the cost that would have been paid without the bulk deal (i.e., buying 12 singles).

Given Data / Assumptions:

• Unit price = $25 per apple.
• Dozen price = $250 for 12 apples.
• Without bulk, 12 singles would cost 12 * $25 = $300.

Concept / Approach:
Discount% = (Base cost − Bulk cost) / Base cost * 100. Here base cost is the hypothetical “no deal” price, and bulk cost is the actual payment for a dozen.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Base cost for 12 singles = 12 * 25 = $300.Bulk cost for a dozen = $250.Savings = 300 − 250 = $50.Discount% = (50 / 300) * 100 = 16.666...% ≈ 17%.

Verification / Alternative check:
Per-apple comparison: unit $25 vs bulk $250/12 ≈ $20.83. Percentage reduction per apple ≈ (25 − 20.83)/25 ≈ 16.7%, same result.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
32 and 25 are too high; 12 is too low; 20 is a rougher estimate than the precise rounding to 17.

Common Pitfalls:
Using the dozen price as the denominator incorrectly; always use the “would-have-paid” amount as the base when phrasing discount “on the original price.”

Final Answer:
17