document.write( "Question 422281: I'm trying to solve when a man knows he has lost 12.4 percent of his weight, and now weighs 249.6. What was his starting weight? \r
\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "I was thinking something like \r
\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "12.4 249.6
\n" ); document.write( "_____ = _____
\n" ); document.write( "100 x\r
\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "Can't recall how to do this.
\n" ); document.write( "

Algebra.Com's Answer #853214 by greenestamps(13258)\"\" \"About 
You can put this solution on YOUR website!


\n" ); document.write( "You need to think more carefully about the equation you are writing to solve the problem.

\n" ); document.write( "You write the following:

\n" ); document.write( "\"12.4%2F100=249.6%2Fx\"

\n" ); document.write( "The \"249.6/x\" on the right is supposed to represent the fraction of his weight that he still has after losing some weight.

\n" ); document.write( "But the \"12.4/100\" on the left does not represent the fraction of his weight that remains -- it represents the fraction of his weight THAT HE LOST.

\n" ); document.write( "If he lost 12.4% of his weight, the fraction of his weight that remains is 100-12.4 = 87.6%. So your equation is...

\n" ); document.write( "\"87.6%2F100=249.6%2Fx\"

\n" ); document.write( "Then...

\n" ); document.write( "\"24960=87.6x\"

\n" ); document.write( "\"x=24960%2F87.6\" = 284.9 (approximately)

\n" ); document.write( "ANSWER: approximately 284.9 pounds

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