Solve for the equation, then the answer

Question

A town's employment statistics show that 855 of its residents were unemployed last month. This is a decrease of 25% from the previous month. How many residents were unemployed in the previous month?

Answer 1

 

 There was a 25% decrease so, 100% - 25% = 75%

 

 

       Let P = be the number of unemployed residents in the previous month

 

 

          75% P = 855

 

Solving for P:

 

          .75P = 855

 

              P = 855/ .75

 

        Answer:       P = 1,140  residents were unemployed the previous month

 

 

       To check:   .25 ( 1,140 ) =  285 less residents unemployed last month

 

 

                           1,140 - 285 = 855