The sale price of an item is $180 after a 25% discount is applied. What is the original price of the item?

180 divided by 3, then multiplied by 4 ($240)

So

100%=original

25% discount

100-25=75

it is 180 sale

75%=180

find 100%

a hack is to recognize that 75/3 times 4=100 so

75%=180

divide 3

25%=60

times 4

100%=240

the real way is proportions

75:180 = 100:x

75/180=100/x

multiply both sides by 180x

75x=18000

divide 75

x=240

origitnal price=$240