Will the product of two numbers increase or decrease and by what percent if one of them is increased by 50%, and the other is decreased by 50%?

Question

please help due tomorrow!!!!!!

Answer 1

The best way to solve this is to try some real numbers. It will make the problem less abstract!

Lets say the first 2 numbers are 5 and 10 for arguments sake..

5 x 10= 50.

Now, lets compare this product of the initial 2 numbers to when you increase 1 by 50% and decrease the other by 50%.

Lets reduce 5 by 50%

5(.5)= 2.5

Now, lets increase 10 by 50%

10 (1.5)= 15.

Now, lets find the new product.

15 x 2.5= 37..5.

The new product is 37.5

Lets see how much it reduced by.

37.5/50= .75

Looks like the new number is 75% of the old number meaning, it reduced by 25%.

Hope that helps!