Alocal electronics store raised its prices on headphones by 20%. the headphones that stan wants to buy now cost $36. how much did the headphones cost before the price increase?

Let the price before the increase be x.

Since there was 20% increase, the new price would be:

(100% + 20%) = 120%

120% x = 36

(120/100)x = 36

1.2x =36

x = 36/1.2

x = 30.

Price before the increase = $30.