need help with this word problem please!

Question

stuck on this on

 

the cost of living last year went up 9%. Fortunatley Alice got a 9% raise in her salary from last year. This year she is earning $31,910. How much did she make last year?

Answer 1

Because of her 9% raise, this year Alice is earning 109% of what she earned last year.  If we let x represent Alice's earning last year, then we have:

 

(1.09)x = $31,910

 

Where 109% = 1.09 in decimal format.  Solve for x.