The length is decreased by 50%, which is the same as being multiplied by 0.5, then it's increased by 40% which is another multiplication by 1.4. So the overall change is 0.5 * 1.4 = 0.7, or the newest rectangle is 70% of the size of the original rectangle. And since the area increases by the square, the newest rectangle has 0.7 * 0.7 = 0.49 of the area as the original rectangle. So it has 51% less area than the original rectangle.
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</h2><h2>Good luck on your assignment and enjoy your day! </h2><h3>~
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