Question 230291
In 2006 the number of Americans who were members of a health club was 42.7 million.  This was an increase of 106% from the number of clubs in 1990.  How many Americans were health club members in 1990?


Step 1.  106% means 1.06 in decimal form.


Step 2.  Let x be the number of Americans who were health club numbers in 1990


Step 3.  Let 1.06x be the amount of increase from 1990.


Step 4.  Then x+1.06x=42.7 million be the current amount of 42.7.


Step 5.  Solving  x+1.06x=42.7 yields the following steps


{{{2.06x=42.7}}}


Divide by 2.06 to both sides of the equation


{{{2.06x/2.06=42.7/2.06}}}


{{{x=20.73}}}


Step 6.  ANSWER:  The number of club members in 1990 is 20.73 million.


I hope the above steps were helpful.


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Good luck in your studies!


Respectfully,
Dr J