The answer to these two questions are not the same. We don't agree with Noah.
Reason:
Let's start with the first question.
1. Given: rate = 10% increase, base/original number = 550 bison
10% of 550 is:
10% of 550 is 55. Hence, there is an increase of 55 bison this year. This year, there are 550 + 55 = 605 bison in the herd.
2. Given: rate = 10% decrease, percentage/final number = 550 bison
Applying the concept of Percentage = Base x Rate, we can get the Base or the original number of bison before the decrease by dividing Percentage over Rate.
Filling in the formula with the given values in question 2, we have:
Last year, there were 611 bison.
As we can see, the answer for number 1 is 605 bison while the answer for the number 2 is 611 bison. The answer of the two questions are not the same.