Question

A store sold 650 bicycles last year. This year the store sold 572 bicycles. What is the percent decreased in the number of bicycles sold from last year to this year?

Answer 1

So,

To find the percent decrease in the number of bicycles sold, find the difference between last year's sales and this year's sales and divide the difference by last year's sales.

The difference between last year's sales and this year's sales is:
650 - 572 = 78

Divide the difference by last year's sales.
$\frac{78}{650} --\ \textgreater \ \frac{2^2*19}{2*5^2*13}$

Simplify.
$\frac{2^2*19}{2*5^2*13} --\ \textgreater \ \frac{2*19}{5^2*13} --\ \textgreater \ \frac{38}{325}$

$\frac{38}{325} = 0.1169\ (approximated)$

Convert to decimal form.
0.1169 --> 11.69%

The bicycle sales decreased 11.69% from last year.  Rounded to the nearest percent, it is 12%.

Answer 2

First they ask for the decrease so subtract and second the percent of change from last year which was 650
(650-572)/650=0.12
12% decrease