best way to figure what percent the item is reduced ?

If the problem is this:  the original price is $86.00 and is on sale for $75.00

do this:  first:  find out the amount of discount:  $86.00 - $75.00  =  $11.00

              then:  divide the amount of discount by the original number and change that answer into a                                              percentage:  11.00 / 86.00  =  .128 (approximately)  =  12.8%

What is the "item"? A fraction? A desimal?