SOLUTION: Hello, I tried solving this problem, but my answer of $2880 was labelled wrong. Here is the problem: John's salary is $3600 after receiving a 20% increase. What was his orig

Question 725735: Hello,
I tried solving this problem, but my answer of $2880 was labelled wrong. Here is the problem:
John's salary is $3600 after receiving a 20% increase. What was his original salary?
I would appreciate your help on this problem.
Thanks,
Anne

Answer by solver91311(24713) (Show Source): You can put this solution on YOUR website!

You subtracted

of 3600. That is not what the problem says. The problem says that the guy had some salary, but you don't know what it is. After 20% of the original salary is added to the original salary, the sum is 3600. The reason you get the wrong answer is because 20% of 3600 (your subtraction) is more than 20% of the original smaller salary (the correct calculation for the amount of increase).

Let

represent the original salary amount. Then

is the amount that the salary increased. To this number you must add the amount of the original salary to get to the new salary, so:

Let

Just solve for

John

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