Question

The percent of working students increased 11.7% to 51.3%, what was the percent prior to the increase

Answer 1

Let the prior percentage be $x$

If we add 11.7% to  $x$, we get 51.3%.

That is  $x+11.7%=51.3%$.

This is a linear equation in  $x$, so we solve for x to obtain,

$x=51.3%-11.7%$

$x=39.6%$

Therefore the prior percentage was 39.6%