<PRE><B>Question 476962</B>
Let {{{x}}} = original number
given:
{{{ x + .5x }}} is the original number
increased by 50%
{{{ x + .5x = 1.5x }}}
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{{{ 1.5x - .4*(1.5x) }}} is the resulting number
decreased by 40%
{{{ 1.5x - .4*(1.5x) = 1.5x - .6x }}}
{{{ 1.5x - .6x = .9x }}}
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{{{ .9x = x - 8 }}}
{{{ .1x = 8 }}}
{{{ x = 80 }}}
The original number was 80
check:
Increased by 50% is 120
Decrease this by 40%
120 - .4*120 = 120 - 48
120 - 48 = 72
72 is 8 less than 80
OK

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