when a number is decreased by 40% of itself, the result is 42. what is the number?

Answer 1

Hi Kylie,

Let's use the variable , n , to represent the number.

Then 40% of the number would be 0.40n

Now we can write the following equation to find the missing number using the info provided:

the number - 40% of the number is 42

n - 0.40n = 42

Now solve the equation:

n- 0.40n = 42

0.60n = 42

0.60n/0.60 = 42/0.60

n = 70

The number is 70

To verify: 40% of 70 is 28

Then 70 - 28 = 42