1. **State the problem:** Bloomingdale's marks up mink coats by 3000, which is a 50% markup on cost. We need to find the cost of the coats. 2. **Formula and explanation:** Markup percentage is calculated on the cost price. If $C$ is the cost, then markup is $0.5 \times C$. Given markup is 3000, so: $$3000 = 0.5 \times C$$ 3. **Solve for cost:** $$C = \frac{3000}{0.5}$$ 4. **Intermediate step with cancellation:** $$C = \frac{3000}{\cancel{0.5}} \times \cancel{2} = 6000$$ 5. **Answer:** The cost of the coats is $6000$.