Question

When a number is reduced by 40%, the result is 36. What is the original number?

Answer 1

So if .6*x is 36. then 36/.6=X=60

Answer 2

You can write this out as:

x - 0.4x = 36

The number minus 40% of the number is 36.  To simplify, combine like terms:

0.6x = 36

Finally, divide each side by 0.6:

x = 60

The original number is 60.